Tarasenko breaks tie, Blues beat Predators 2-1

ST. LOUIS (AP) St. Louis winger Vladimir Tarasenko would prefer not to wait until the third period to get the job done.

His goalie, Jake Allen, believes late rallies are the only way to go.

The two banded together to help the Blues to a 2-1 come-from-behind win over the Nashville Predators on Thursday night.

Tarasenko capped a two-goal third-period rally by scoring with 5:20 left to give St. Louis its second straight win after trailing after two periods.

The Blues rallied for a 4-3 win with two third-period goals at Winnipeg on Tuesday night.

''This is not the style that we want - you can't chase every game,'' Tarasenko said. ''We want to dominate all three periods.''

Allen made 27 saves, including 20 in a row. He said he enjoys the thrill that comes along with late wins.

''It's the only way to live,'' he said. ''If you can't come back from deficits like that, then I don't think we're going to have any success regardless whether it's regular season or playoffs.

''This was great to see.''

Tarasenko's power-play tally was his 20th goal of the season and third game-winner. He ripped a wrist shot from the faceoff circle past Nashville goalie Pekka Rinne, who made 31 stops.

''I'll tell you 16 or 17 of his goals have been really important,'' St. Louis coach Ken Hitchcock said. ''He's been outstanding when the game's on the line.''

David Backes was equally impressed.

''The kid can shoot,'' Backes said. ''I was in front of the net praying that he misses me.''

The Blues have won three of four. It's their first winning streak since getting three straight victories in early November.

''This was a resilient effort,'' Backes said.

The Predators have lost three straight, all one-goal losses.

''I don't know who we're kidding if we say it doesn't matter,'' Nashville defenseman Shea Weber said. ''It's just not good enough.''

Roman Josi put Nashville on top with a first-period power-play goal.

Backes tied the game 1-1 by deflecting a drive from Alex Pietrangelo early in the third period. Backes has 10 goals and a point in his last six games.

Josi ripped a one-time shot off a cross-ice pass from Filip Forsberg. The Blues had killed off their previous 23 penalties.

NOTES: Nashville D Barret Jackman spent the first 13 years of his career with the Blues and made his first appearance in St. Louis since he signed with Nashville as a free agent this summer. He was given a standing ovation by the crowd before the contest. ''I was nervous, anxious, there was a lot of emotions running through me,'' Jackman said. ... Nashville defensemen have scored a league-best 24 goals this season. Weber leads the way with nine. ... St. Louis has played eight of its last 10 games at home and will play five of the next eight on home ice. ... Allen made 57 consecutive saves against the Predators over two games before giving up a first-period goal. ... Hitchcock celebrated his 64th birthday on Thursday.