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With a 4-2 loss to the Wild on Tuesday night, the Blues lost for the sixth time in their last seven games. They dropped to 8-11-1, and are currently on pace for a 70-point season. It’s been two weeks since they won a game in regulation, and longer since they scored four goals in a game.

Tuesday’s loss to Minnesota felt familiar to the Blues because, well, it was.

Here the Blues were again, battling in a tight game that was relatively even. They generated enough offense to feel good about their chances, but so did Minnesota. For the fourth time in the last five games, the game was tied in the third period, this time courtesy of Jake Neighbours’ power-play goal about midway through the period.

But as they did in an overtime loss in Buffalo and a regulation loss in Carolina, the Blues failed to come away with two points, and on Tuesday, failed to even get one.

“We’ve got to find ways to win hockey games when we’re in those positions,� Blues coach Drew Bannister said. “It’s 2-2, we tie it up on the power play, and we’ve got to take that momentum and push forward here. Right now, whether the bounces are going for us, we’ve got to work for those bounces to go our way.�

Jonas Brodin scored the game-winning goal for the Wild on a shot from the left circle that appeared to deflect off Blues forward Nathan Walker and past Jordan Binnington. Earlier in the third period, Kirill Kaprizov stuck his stick out to deflect a shot by Jake Middleton, one of the other bounces to go against the Blues on Tuesday.

“You look at that Kaprizov goal, what are the odds of a guy tipping that?� Neighbours said. “If you really look at it, you know? So that’s a goal that puts them up 2-1, you’re chasing a little bit and the odds of that happening again are very low. Those are the kinds of bounces we’re getting right now, and just got to stick with it.�

Neighbours scored his team-leading sixth goal of the season, while Scott Perunovich scored his second career NHL goal. Binnington (24 saves) allowed at least three goals for the fourth time in his past five starts.

Kaprizov added an empty-netter late in the third period, and Ryan Hartman scored in the first period to give the Wild an early lead.

“We generated a lot, goalie made some big saves and they just stuck with it, got a couple bounces and found a way to win it,� Blues forward Robert Thomas said. “But I felt like we were right in that game. I felt like we had a lot of good chances to get the lead.�

The Blues had the first five shots of the game, another torrid start after ripping off the first six shots of the evening on Sunday in Carolina. Overall, the Blues had similar outputs as far as shot attempts (led 63-61) and shots on goal (trailed 28-24), even if Minnesota appeared to have the edge in chance quality.

ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ won the special teams battle, going a perfect 2 for 2 on the penalty kill and striking with Neighbours’ backdoor tap-in.

“We’re certainly playing better hockey than we were a week ago,� Bannister said. “The effort’s there from the group. Now, for us, we’ve got to swing the tide in the right direction for us when we get those opportunities and we’re in these tight games. We’ve got to feel more comfortable and we’ve got to start winning these games.�

Neighbours’ goal came on an adjustment made by Blues associate coach Steve Ott for the next St. Louis power play. From the point, Thomas swung a pass to Pavel Buchnevich on the right flank and he found Neighbours on the edge of the crease as Jordan Kyrou drew attention in the slot.

“It’s nice when you come into a power play with a set plan and it works,� Thomas said. “Something that Otter did a great job of pointing it out in the intermission for the next power play. Couldn’t have worked any better.�

Neighbours: “Something we looked at in intermission. Otter spotted it and drew up a play for it. ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵ weren’t really respected the back door a little bit, kind of worried about Rou in the bumper and all the other options that Buchy’s got over there. Kind of left me alone and made a great play.â€�

The Blues could have gotten another late power play chance when Brayden Schenn was whacked in the face by a high stick from Declan Chisholm, but officials did not see the infraction and did not call a penalty.

“In that situation, a double (minor) where he’s cut,� Bannister said. “They missed it, and those things happen. Got to push through it, can’t affect us at all.�

The Blues suddenly find themselves five points back of a playoff spot about a quarter of the way through the season. They have four games before the traditional Thanksgiving checkpoint on the NHL calendar. Last year’s Blues were not five points out of a playoff spot until Jan. 13, when half the season was gone.

“When you’re on the other side of it, it’s tough,� Thomas said. “You feel like you’re right in the game, and just can’t seem to get a win. Those times don’t last forever and I think having a good mindset is so important during these times.�

Neighbours: “That’s just kind of the way it’s going right now. We just can’t seem to finish.�