Blues double timed by Pens, 4-2 Blues can't find tying goal late in game

In Pittsburgh, the Penguins held off the visiting St Louis Blues on Saturday for a 4-2 win.

Tristan Jarry made 25 saves in the win.

The e Penguins moved to 17-13-4.

“I thought we competed hard,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. “I don’t think it was our best game, but I thought we competed hard. I thought we defended hard in the third. I thought our guys, we were digging in. We were competing. We were trying to defend the good ice. We got some timely goals. That helps.”

The Pens took a 1-0 lead in the first period on a strike by Drew O’Connor at 15:32 of the opening stanza.

The Blues tied it off a power play goal from Robert Thomas an 1:06 of the middle frame.

“We were right in it until the end,” Thomas said. “We were right in it. It was a tough back-to-back. We did a good job of keeping ourselves in the game and giving ourselves a chance to win.”

St Louis dropped to 18-17-1.

“We had some opportunities, we had a few crossbars, a few posts,” St. Louis coach Drew Bannister said. “But again, we can’t make those mistakes in the neutral zone. We can’t take those penalties. The margin of error is too small. We’ve got to be better in those areas.”

Evgeni Malkin  scored off a Pens power play at 6:50 of the second to restore the lead, 2-1.

“He’s playing great right now,” Pittsburgh’s Jake Guentzel said of Malkin. “He’s a special player. He’s an all-time great player. It’s just fun to watch him right now. He’s scoring some big-time goals for us right now. Hopefully, it keeps coming.”

The Pens’ Jeff Carter hit at 4:48 of the third period to give them a 3-1 advantage.

Kasperi Kapanen scored midway through the third period to trim the deficit to 3-2.

“It’s been way too long since I last scored,” Kapanen said. “Had a ton of chances, and I’d like to think I’ve been playing some good hockey. Haven’t really been getting bounces … It’s the loneliest feeling in the world when you can’t score or it’s not bouncing for you. Just happy I got one.”

Sidney Crosby hit into an empty net for the 4-2 final count.Joel Hofer made 26 saves in the loss.