NHL: St. Louis 4, Columbus 2

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- David Backes scored twice Wednesday night as the St. Louis Blues beat the Columbus Blue Jackets, 4-2.

His second goal at 9:59 of the third period gave St. Louis a 3-2 lead and turned out to be the game-winner.

Bill Guerin scored once, Dallas Drake added an empty-netter, Lee Stempniak had two assists, and Manny Legace made 20 saves on 22 shots for the Blues, who had dropped three of their previous four games.

Rick Nash and Alexander Svitov each scored goals, and Pascal Leclaire stopped 13 of 16 shots for the Blue Jackets, who have lost five of their last six games.

There were no power play goals on a combined seven chances.