Blues Beat Penguins In OT
ST. LOUIS (AP) Erik Johnson scored 50 seconds into overtime, Jaroslav Halak made 31 saves and the St. Louis Blues beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 1-0 on Saturday night for their 10th straight home victory.
Johnson scored his first goal of the season came after T.J. Oshie stripped the Penguins' Paul Martin of the puck in the corner. Martin fed Johnson in the slot and the defenseman beat goalie Brent Johnson.
Brent Johnson stopped 23 shots for the Penguins. He lost for the first time in five games this season.
The Blues are 4-0 at home this season after winning their final six last season.
[photogallerylink id=31649 align=left]The Blues had the best chance in the first period, but Brad Boyes couldn't convert on the doorstep with a bouncing puck. The Blues' Jay McClement also missed a chance to scored in the second period when he rushed in along the right side on a short-handed breakaway. McClement's wrister sailed high over the net with 4:32 left in the period, a period in which the Penguins outshot the Blues 19-7.
Sidney Crosby had a chance in the third period on the Penguins' fourth power play, but his snap shot from the right circle popped off the outside of the goal post with 9:34 left.
NOTES: The Blues are one of five teams Crosby hasn't scored against in his career. ... The last time Halak faced the Penguins, it was with the Montreal Canadiens, who upset Pittsburgh in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season. ... The Penguins were without D Zbynek Michalek (shoulder), C Jordan Staal (foot infection) and RW Aaron Asham (shoulder). D Brooks Orpik (groin strain) returned after missing six games. ... Blues D Roman Polak didn't return after sustaining a right arm injury in the second period. ... Brent Johnson began his career with the Blues in 1998, playing parts of five seasons.
