The Blues drew over 10,000 fans on Wednesday to watch them lose 4-3 to the Predators in the first exhibition game for both teams. Mike Sillinger led the offense for St. Louis with two goals and Jamal Mayers was responsible for the other goal. New captain Dallas Drake had two assists on the evening.
Randy Robataille led the charge for Nashville with a goal and two assists.
In goal for the Blues was new goalie Patrick Lalime, who stopped 12-of-14 shots in a little over 30 minutes of play. Rheinhard Divis and Nashville goaltender Pekka Rinne both entered the game at the same time midway through the second. Mike Sillinger scored on Rinne on the first shot he faced. Divis was beaten 20 seconds later to give Nashville the lead for good.
After regulation, the Blues beat the Predators 3-2 in a shootout. All exhibition games this year will feature a shootout regardless of the outcome in regulation.
The Blues and Predators will play again on Saturday at Kemper Arena in Kansas City. Proceeds from the game will be donated to hurricane relief.