Islanders Left Singing the Blues in St. Louis

Blues players Jason Arnott and Patrik Berglund look to score a goal (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

          The New York Islanders took a step back in the playoff race as they were defeated by the Blues 5-1 in St. Louis.  It was only the 3rd time in the last 10 games the Isles failed to record a point.

          Al Montoya got the start in net after Evgeni Nabokov was a last second scratch because he came down with flu like symptoms.  Defenseman Steve Staios came down with the same bug which gave youngster Ty Wishart a chance on the big club.

          The Islanders got off to a quick start and looked to be ready to play against a tough club.  Just 59 seconds into the game Frans Nielsen was able to lift a wrist shot over the right shoulder of Blues goaltender Brian Elliot, for his 11th of the season.  

          That would be the only celebrating the Islanders would do all game as it was all Blues from that point on.  It started at 14:40 of the first when Jason Arnott, in his first game back from injury, scored on his own rebound for his 13th of the season.  2 minutes later at 17:12 Kevin Shattenkirk scored on the power play, launching a wicked slap shot past Montoya to give the Blues the 2-1 lead after the first. 

          The second period saw St. Louis score their last three goals and all but seal the victory.  Andy McDonald, coming off a concussion that forced him to miss the last 51 games, scored his 1st of the season at 2:53 of the frame, banging in a Jamie Langenbrunner rebound.  David Perron would follow suit scoring at 8:52 of the period, connecting on the power play with a slap shot  for his 11th of the campaign.  T.J. Oshie would score the last Blues goal at 14:53 of the period tipping in an Alex Pietrangelo shot for his 15th goal.  

          The Islanders still sit 8 points out of a playoff spot, but now have only 1 game in hand on the 8th place Toronto Maple Leafs.  

          The Isles next come home to play at the Coliseum against the Carolina Hurricanes.  The puck drop is at 7 pm.