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 Captain David Backes scored midway through the third period for
the Central Division-leading Blues, who matched the New York Rangers
for the league lead with their 23rd road victory. Elliott stopped 10
shots in the first period, 13 in the second and 10 in the third for
his fourth shutout in 28 games this season as St. Louis pulled even
with Boston in the race for the Presidents' Trophy.
Backes drew a high-sticking penalty on Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin at
9:17 of the third period and Alex Steen’s point shot deflected off
the captain and past Marc-Andre Fleury three seconds after the
Russian's penalty expired. Malkin then drew a tripping penalty on
Blues defenseman Jay Bouwmeester with 4:44 remaining, but the
Penguins were unable to capitalize on the power play.
Malkin fired a game-high seven shots on Elliott while Fleury made 26
saves for Pittsburgh, which was unable to extend its three-game
point streak. The Penguins fell to 5-5-0 versus the Central — the
only division against which they do not have a winning record.
Elliott was at his best during a 5-on-3 power play for Pittsburgh
early in the second period, stopping five shots — two by Malkin, two
by Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and one by James Neal. Pittsburgh
finished 0-for-5 with the man advantage.
GAME NOTEBOOK: A scrum broke out in the corner at the end of the
game as Malkin and St. Louis D Alex Pietrangelo exchanged blows.
Both players received roughing penalties as a result. … The Blues
have scored a total of two goals in the first three contests of a
four-game road trip that concludes Tuesday in Toronto. … Pietrangelo
picked up the secondary assist on Backes’ goal, giving him his first
career 40-assist season.
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