The Pittsburgh Penguins secured a 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues at PPG Paints Arena on Saturday, extending their point streak to five games (4-0-1). Evgeni Malkin played a pivotal role, scoring a goal and an assist, while Jake Guentzel contributed two assists. Tristan Jarry, guarding the net for the Penguins, made 25 crucial saves.
Despite not delivering their best game, the Penguins showcased a strong competitive spirit. “We competed hard,” said coach Mike Sullivan, praising the team’s defensive efforts in the third period and their timely goals.
The Blues, who were coming off a narrow 2-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche, saw goals from Robert Thomas and Kasperi Kapanen. Goalkeeper Joel Hofer made 26 saves. Despite the loss, the team’s spirit remained undeterred, as Thomas noted their ability to stay in the game until the end.
Pittsburgh’s Drew O’Connor opened the scoring in the first period, followed by Thomas’s equalizer early in the second. Malkin then restored the lead for the Penguins with a power-play goal, showcasing his current excellent form. Jeff Carter further extended the lead in the third period, with Crosby sealing the victory with an empty-net goal.
This game also marked a significant milestone for Erik Karlsson, who recorded his 600th NHL assist. Karlsson’s achievement places him among the elite defensemen in the league’s history, underscoring his significant contribution to the team.
The Blues faced challenges with the absence of defenseman Justin Faulk due to injury, but Matthew Kessel stepped in, contributing in his season debut.
The win reflects the Penguins’ resilience and ability to find ways to secure points, maintaining their position as strong contenders. Meanwhile, the Blues, despite the setback, demonstrated their competitive nature and will look to rebound in their upcoming games.
