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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
ST. LOUIS (AP) -- If Brent Johnson is dreaming, he doesn't want
anyone to wake him up.
|  | | Scott Young congratulated Dallas Drake after his first-period goal Saturday in the Blues' victory. |
Johnson, St. Louis' rookie goalie, tied a team record with his
seventh straight win as he helped the Blues stayed unbeaten at home
with a 4-1 victory Saturday night over the Buffalo Sabres.
"I'm just letting it roll," Johnson said. "I got into the
games and don't think too much about it."
After playing 56 games in the minors last year, Johnson had to
adjust to a new role as the backup for Roman Turek. He has made the
most of his opportunities, though, winning all seven starts and
posting a goals-against average of 1.14.
"It's changed from last year, what I'm accustomed to, but it's
not bad," Johnson said of his reduced time. "I feel fine sitting
out a couple of games."
His teammates are confident with either Johnson, who made 20
saves, or Turek.
"He's been unbelievable, he and Roman both," said Blues
forward Dallas Drake, who scored twice. "They make the big saves
at the big times in the game that keeps a team going."
Johnson's streak matched three other Blues goalies. Jamie
McLennan was the last to do it from Feb. 5-March 9, 1998.
"That Johnson guy is pretty good," Buffalo goalie Martin Biron
said. "He made some big saves in key parts of the game."
Drake provided all the offense Johnson would need, doubling his
scoring output. Both goals came off rebounds in front.
"I don't score too many outside that blue area near the
crease," Drake said. "I whack around in front of the net and they
go in sometimes. They're ugly, but somebody's got to do it, I
guess."
Blues coach Joel Quenneville was pleased that Drake was
rewarded.
"It's nice to seem him score, because he missed some high
quality chances earlier in the year," he said.
Sean Hill also scored his first goal for the Blues. Pavol
Demitra added an empty-net goal.
Pierre Turgeon assisted on both of Drake's goals, giving him 18
points in his last 13 games.
Vaclav Varada scored the only Buffalo goal, his third this
season.
Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said his team was its own worst enemy.
"We made some big mistakes in the first period that really hurt
us," he said. "Our turnovers in our own end led to their goals."
The Blues have yet to lose at home, going 8-0-1. The only
blemish was a scoreless tie with Toronto on Nov. 4. St. Louis has
lost just once in 11 games (8-1-2).
Thanks to a strong second effort, Drake got the Blues on the
board 57 seconds into the game. After Biron stopped Al MacInnis'
shot from the right circle, he robbed Drake on his rebound effort
from right in front. But the puck went right back to Drake, and he
put it in over Biron.
Drake's second goal, which came 38 seconds into the second
period, was almost a replay of the first. This time he picked up
the rebound of a Scott Young shot for his fourth goal.
Hill beat Biron with a slap shot from the right point at 15:51
of the second to make it 3-0. Varada scored on a power play with
8:16 remaining to ruin Johnson's shutout.
Game notes
Buffalo's Maxim Afinogenov had his five-game scoring streak
snapped. ... The Blues are 11-0-0 when they score first. ...
Linesman Brian Mach did not make the game due to a flight delay.
... The crowd of 19,921 was a season-high for the Blues. ...
Buffalo, which beat Minnesota 3-1 Friday night, is 1-3-0-1 in the
second of back-to-back games. ... Biron, who re-signed with the
Sabres on Nov. 7, played his first game this season after being
recalled from Rochester of the AHL. ... The win was the first for
the Blues at home against the Sabres since the 1993-94 season
(0-3-1).
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ALSO SEE
NHL Scoreboard
Buffalo Clubhouse
St. Louis Clubhouse
RECAPS
New Jersey 3
Carolina 2
Los Angeles 6
Colorado 4
Minnesota 6
Boston 1
Toronto 6
Montreal 1
Ottawa 5
Florida 2
Philadelphia 5
Washington 3
Pittsburgh 3
Atlanta 1
Nashville 3
Detroit 2
St. Louis 4
Buffalo 1
Anaheim 6
Phoenix 2
NY Rangers 5
Calgary 4
San Jose 5
NY Islanders 3
AUDIO/VIDEO
 With a little help, Brent Johnson stops a point-blank shot by Maxim Afinogenov.
avi: 442 k
RealVideo: 56.6 | ISDN | T1
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