(Photo Credit: Gregory Shamus/NHLI via Getty Images)
The St. Louis Blues found themselves back in the win column Tuesday night thanks to and over time goal from Alexander Steen. Steen’s 24th goal of the year gave St. Louis a 4-3-road victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins as they improve to 46-21-7 on the year.
Following an uneventful first period where the Blues registered just seven shots on net it appeared it wouldn’t be their night. Pittsburgh tallied the first goal midway through the second when Penguins winger Blake Comeau put one past Blues goalie Jake Allen for a 1-0 lead.
Pittsburgh then seized momentum, capitalizing seconds later as Steve Downie gave the Penguins a 2-0 advantage with a 9-foot wrist shot. Following the goal Blues center Steve Ott looked to spark a fire for St. Louis as he dropped the gloves with Pittsburgh’s Craig Adams.
St. Louis began the come back with a goal from former Penguin Robert Bortuzzo. The defenseman picked up his first goal as a Blue and third on the year with a lengthy snapper that beat Penguin goalie Marc-Andre Fleury.
The Blues later tied the game up at 2-2 when another former Penguin Marcel Goc picked up his first goal in a St. Louis uniform. The Blues solid play on the back end of the second period allowed them to carry momentum heading into the third.
St. Louis was able to move the puck around and had a number of scoring opportunities, but was unable to capitalize. Though after falling to Detroit last time out in over time, this time the Blues were able to get the job done.
The over time period was short lived as Steen tipped a puck past Fleury after Zbynek Michalek ripped a shot on net.
Every victory for the Blues is an important one as we close in on the home stretch. While St. Louis isn’t playing its best hockey at the moment they remain atop the division standings. Consistent goal tending from Allen will be crucial heading into the playoffs, as that is typically the biggest factor of who comes out as Stanley Cup champion.
Next up for the Blues is the Columbus Blue Jackets at home on Saturday, March 28.
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