Steen scores in OT in Blues 4-3 win over Red Wings

The Blues, though, had other plans.

Alexander Steen stuffed in a rebound 52 seconds into overtime to lift St. Louis to a 4-3 much-needed victory over Detroit on Wednesday night.

"Just hoping something bounced out," Steen said. "Got lucky. I think we got scared into the right direction. I think that fear made us play hockey."

The Blues were good early, starting 6-1, then lost five straight before rallying for a win in Detroit.

"This is a real boost for our team," Hitchcock said. "This is the boost that we need to start playing like last year."

St. Louis advanced in the playoffs last year for the first time in a decade before being swept by the eventual-champion Los Angeles Kings in the second round.

After sputtering early in the lockout-shortened season, Detroit had won a season-high three straight wins with a stretch of success that started with a 5-1 victory over St. Louis.

The Red Wings set themselves up to extend the streak, but blew a two-goal lead in the first period and chances to win in the third period on a pair of chances with an extra skater.

"If we would have kept playing like we did in the first I don't think we would have needed a power-play goal," Detroit captain Henrik Zetterberg said. "It was probably our best first period of the whole year and then they took over completely in the second period."

St. Louis goalie Jake Allen, making his first NHL start in his second game in the league, made 15 saves. Jaroslav Halak missed his fifth straight game with a groin strain, an injury he had in a Feb. 1 loss against Detroit, and Hitchcock said he's day to day.

Hitchcock was happy with the way Allen, and his teammates, bounced back after being down 0-2.

"This is a game that could've gotten away on us," Hitchcock said.

Jimmy Howard faced just three shots in the first period and finished with 21 saves for the Red Wings.