(AP) - David Perron scored the lone goal in the shootout to lift the St. Louis Blues to a 4-3 victory over Washington on Saturday night, sending the Capitals into the Olympic break on a down note. Chris Mason stopped Alexander Semin, Alex Ovechkin, Nicklas Backstrom and Brendan Morrison in the shootout and had 31 saves in regulation for the Blues. Jose Theodore made saves against Patrik Berglund, T.J. Oshie and Brad Boyes before Perron connected on a backhander in the fourth round to end it. Mike Knuble had two goals for the Capitals, who pulled one point ahead of San Jose for the overall NHL lead with 90 points. But Washington has lost three in a row following a 14-game winning streak, with one of the losses in overtime.
(AP) - Jonathan Toews scored the lone shootout goal to give the Chicago Blackhawks their third straight victory, 5-4 over the Atlanta Thrashers on Saturday night. Chicago's Dave Bolland scored early in the third period to tie it at 4 and set up overtime after Atlanta erased a 3-1 deficit in the second and held a 4-3 lead after 40 minutes. Patrick Sharp, Kim Johnsson and Marian Hossa also connected for the Blackhawks, and Sharp had two assists. Hossa scored his NHL-leading fifth short-handed goal, and Johnsson, a defenseman, connected in his in his first game with the Blackhawks. He was acquired Friday along with Nick Leddy in a deal that sent Cam Barker to Minnesota.
(From Peoria Rivermen) - Justin Pogge made 43 saves as the San Antonio Rampage came from behind to defeat the Peoria Rivermen 2-1 Saturday night at Carver Arena. A season-high 6,177 fans were on hand to see the Rivermen drop their fourth straight game. Rivermen goalie Ben Bishop finished with 21 saves and suffered his third straight defeat. Both teams finished 0-for-3 on the power play. The Rivermen will host the Chicago Wolves Friday.
