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 Center Vladimir Sobotka and right winger Vladimir Tarasenko each
registered a goal and assist, and right winger Chris Stewart and
defensemen Ian Cole and Alex Pietrangelo also scored for the Blues
(31-7-5).
St. Louis is undefeated since a Dec. 23 shootout loss in Calgary,
having collected points in 10 straight games.
"It's a good feeling in here," Blues captain David Backes said. "We
have different guys stepping up and different guys picking each
other up when they falter. It's a good recipe."
The Flames (15-23-6) were shut out for the second consecutive game
and fifth time in a seven-game span, with four of those on home ice.
Blues goaltender Jaroslav Halak made 33 saves to become the latest
to leave the Scotiabank Saddledome with a shutout. Flames netminder
Karri Ramo, who had a tough assignment against the NHL's
highest-scoring squad, stopped 24 of 29 shots.
"We can't score goals in this building, for whatever reason. We have
to dig down. Enough is enough," Flames center Matt Stajan said. "We
can't be satisfied just with good chances. We have to score. It's
the NHL, you can't win in this league if you don't score."
Stewart opened the scoring at 9:32 of the first period, blasting a
shot behind Ramo after a pass from center Derek Roy from behind the
net.
Sobotka added to the lead just over two minutes later, scoring on a
wrist shot to extend his point streak to four games.
Not long after Flames right winger Jiri Hudler hit the goal post on
a power play in the second period, Tarasenko spotted Cole in the
slot and set the defenseman up for another goal.
Pietrangelo and Tarasenko each added power-play goals early in the
third period as the Blues turned it into a rout. The Blues finished 2-for-6 on the power play and the Flames
failed on six chances despite firing 10 of their 33 shots on the
man-advantage.
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"It's always nice to get a win," Halak said. "It's more special
when you get a shutout. Tonight, they had a few chances. They
hit the post. It could've been a different game had it gone in,
but luckily for us, it stayed out. I think our power play and PK
came through for us."
The Blues are back in action on Friday night against the
Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena and the Flames await
Saturday's visit from the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Flames, who have just five goals in seven games since
Christmas, will have to solve their scoring woes before their
faceoff against superstar Sidney Crosby and the Penguins.
"To score goals, we know that's the toughest thing to do in the
NHL, and right now, we're certainly getting a good lesson in
this," Flames coach Bob Hartley said. "I feel for my players
because I see them work every day.
"For many players, it's pretty tough to ask for more than
they're giving us right now. They care. I see them, basically,
mentally destroyed after some games. But we're proud and we're
going to keep fighting."
NOTES: The Blues have an 9-0-4 record against Canadian teams
this season ... St. Louis G Jaroslav Halak was back in the
crease after missing more than a week of action because of
illness. The Blues are still without their leading scorer, LW
Alex Steen (concussion), and D Roman Polak (ankle). ... Flames
RW David Jones missed a third consecutive game because of an eye
infection. LW Curtis Glencross (ankle), C Blair Jones (knee) and
D Kris Russell (knee) also were out for Calgary ... The Flames
were one of four NHL organizations with two minor-leaguers
selected Thursday for the 2014 AHL All-Star Classic against
Farjestad BK of the Swedish Hockey League. C Ben Street and D
Chad Billins will represent the Flames' top affiliate, the AHL's
Abbotsford Heat, at the exhibition event. G Jake Allen (Chicago
Wolves) was the only Blues prospect picked for the AHL team.
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