Crosby and Malkin score as the Penguins defeat the Blues 4-2
With a goal and an assist, Evgeni Malkin helped the Pittsburgh Penguins defeat the St. Louis Blues 4-2.
Pittsburgh On Saturday night, the Pittsburgh Penguins defeated the St. Louis Blues 4-2 thanks in part to a goal and an assist from Evgeni Malkin.
Malkin used the power play to score his 14th goal of the year. He also set up the fourth goal of the year for Drew O’Connor.
In his last five games, Malkin has four goals and three assists.
The Penguins’ coach Mike Sullivan stated, “He’s played tremendously good the last few of games.” His body language conveys a high level of confidence. He believes he will have an impact on the game when he goes over the boards, and he has.
In the third period, Sidney Crosby scored his 20th goal of the season, an empty-net goal, and Jeff Carter scored his fourth goal for Pittsburgh. Erik Karlsson, a defenseman, recorded his 600th career assist, and Tristan Jarry stopped 25 shots.
On the NHL’s career points list, Crosby is just one point away from tying Joe Thornton for 12th place. With 16 seasons of 20 or more goals, he became the 22nd player in NHL history as well as the 19th player to reach 400 even-strength goals.
The Penguins are now 6-1-1 in their last eight games overall, and they are 105-10-5 when Crosby and Malkin score in the same contest.
Jarry stated, “We want to trend in the correct direction.” “The points are necessary. Being a good, cohesive team helps our team perform well. I believe it has contributed to our success.
For the Blues, Robert Thomas notched his team-high 15th goal of the year, and former Penguin Kasperi Kapanen added his fourth.
The Blues, who had won three games in a row, have now lost two in a row. Joel Hofer stopped 26 shots. Drew Bannister, the team’s interim coach, has St. Louis at 5-3.
“We had a few chances,” Bannister remarked. We’ve struck a couple crossbars and posts, but we’re not allowed to commit errors in the neutral zone or accept penalties. There is not enough room for error.
At 4:48 of the third, Carter gave Pittsburgh a 3-1 advantage. Hofer attempted to play the puck up the boards, but Carter deflected a one-timer across the line after Jansen Harkins intercepted and passed to him.
At 10:21, Kapanen scored via a deflection to tie the score 3-2. After a 21-game drought, Kapanen—who was selected by Pittsburgh with the 22nd overall choice in the 2014 draft—scored his first goal since November 14.
When you are unable to score or the ball is not bouncing for you, it is the most lonely sensation in the world, according to Kapanen.
At 15:32 in the first, O’Connor gave Pittsburgh the lead. Using a pass from Malkin, he beat Hofer with a one-time shot that went in between the circles.
At 19:30, Valtteri Puustinen seemed to give Pittsburgh a 2-0 lead. However, Puustinen was called for high-sticking Brayden Schenn prior to his shot, and the goal was waived off.
After the Puustinen penalty at 1:06 of the second, Thomas knotted the score with 25 seconds remaining. He came in at an acute angle close to the side of the net and one-timed a feed from Jordan Kyrou behind Jarry.
At 6:50 in the second, Malkin scored on a power play to give Pittsburgh a 2-1 lead. Malkin was standing at the side of the crease close to the left post when Jake Guentzel’s pass deflected off his right skate.
Guentzel remarked, “(Malkin) is performing terrific right now.” “He is a unique player.” He is a legendary player. Right now, it’s entertaining to watch him score some huge goals for us.
