GAME RECAP: Penguins vs. Blues (12.30.23) | Crosby, Karlsson Reach Milestones

Saturday night, the Pittsburgh Penguins hosted the St. Louis Blues in the first half of back-to-back games. Late in the 1st period, the Penguins struck first. Reilly Smith passed the puck from the Penguins’ defensive zone up to Evgeni Malkin, who was just entering the offensive zone. Malkin sent a saucer pass across to Drew O’Connor, who was ready for the one-timer. The puck went to the back of the net and the Penguins took a one-goal lead. On a power play with time carrying over from the opening period, St. Louis’ Thomas scored to tie things up just over a minute into the 2nd period. Minutes later, Jake Guentzel made a slap-pass across the net to Malkin, who was planted on the back door. Bouncing off Malkin’s foot, the Penguins took back the lead and held onto it for the rest of the period. Jeff Carter added to the lead early in the 3rd. Jansen Harkins sent a rocket to the front of the net, where Carter redirected the puck in. This was Harkins’ first point in a black and gold jersey. To seal the deal with an empty net tally was Sidney Crosby, giving the Penguins a 4-2 victory over the Blues. The captain has now hit the 20-goal milestone for the 16th time in his career, becoming just the second active player, and 22nd player in NHL history, to have 16 seasons with 20 or more goals. With his assist on the goal, Erik Karlsson has earned 600 career assists. Karlsson is the second active defenseman to record 600 career assists after Carolina’s Brent Burns, and just the 10th active player to hit the mark. He is set to become the 18th blueliner in NHL history to reach the milestone, and the eighth fastest to do so in league history.

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