Crosby leads Penguins past Blues
ST. LOUIS -- Sidney Crosby scored two goals and assisted on another Saturday night to lead the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues.
The win was the third in a row for the Penguins and their second in two nights, having defeated Columbus in overtime Friday night in Pittsburgh.
Crosby did not record a point in that game, but extended his streak of not going two consecutive games without a point with his goal in the first period, firing a backhand shot while on one knee past goalie Jake Allen.
Crosby has not gone two consecutive games without at least one point since Feb. 24-27 of last year. He scored at least one point in 35 of the 45 games he has played this season.
Crosby's second goal of the game, his league-leading 30th of the season, came into an empty net with 18 seconds to play.
It was only the third and fourth career goals for Crosby against the Blues in 14 games. The only opponent he has had less success against is the Edmonton Oilers, with two goals in 11 career games.
Crosby earned his second point of the night when he set up defenseman Justin Schultz for the Penguins' third goal at 12:02 of the second period. It was his 29th assist of the season. The two points left him three shy of reaching the 1,000 point mark.
The Penguins scored earlier in the period when Kris Letang picked up a loose puck after coming out of the penalty box and scored on a breakaway.
Marc-Andre Fleury, making his first start since Jan. 14, had his bid for his first shutout of the season snapped at 10:22 of the third period when Patrik Berglund scored his 12th goal of the year to cut the deficit to 3-1.
The Blues, who defeated Toronto Thursday night in Mike Yeo's first game after taking over as the team's coach, won consecutive games only once since Dec. 1.
St. Louis left winger Robby Fabbri left the game in the first period with an apparent injury to his left leg. He was checked hard into the boards by Carter Rowney and did not return. The exact nature of the injury was not immediately available.
NOTES: Pittsburgh C Evgeni Malkin missed his fourth straight contest since suffering a knee injury Jan. 24 against the Blues. There is a chance he could return for the team's next game Tuesday night at home against the Calgary Flames. ... The Penguins did not have a morning skate after arriving in St. Louis early in the morning following their overtime victory over Columbus at home Friday night. ... The Blues kept the same lineup for the third consecutive game, scratching RW Dmitrij Jaskin and D Robert Bortuzzo. ... The Blues open a five-game road trip Monday night in Philadelphia.