"The Predators took a big step Saturday toward regaining the momentum they had prior to the All-Star break by holding off Central Division foe St. Louis 3-1.

Nashville headed into the break on a five-game win streak, but had to stage a furious rally in order to win its first game after that and then lost Thursday to Philadelphia.

"Coming back from the break, we just didn't have a flow," said Martin Erat, who scored the Predators' first goal Saturday on the power play and assisted Mike Fisher on the second in the first period.

"We won at Minnesota but weren't playing like we were before the break. And then in Philly, it was a better game, but we lost. Today was a much better game. We played for 60 minutes, and winning makes me feel like we've gotten over the hill and are back to where we were."

The Predators improved to 12-2-2 against Central Division opponents and have won 14 of their past 17 games overall.

"Coach (Barry Trotz) does a great job preparing us for these games. Obviously we know these teams pretty well, playing in the same division," Predators goalie Pekka Rinne said. "We start to get ready in the meeting room and then we get ready mentally. Those are the biggest things.""