PENGUINS (30-22-4) at BLUES (34-20-3) Noon ET; NBC, TVAS, NHL.TV
The Blues entered Saturday trailing the Nashville Predators and Winnipeg Jets by two points for first place in the Central Division after winning back-to-back games: 6-1 against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday, and 5-2 at Winnipeg on Friday. St. Louis has played three more games than Nashville and two more than Winnipeg. The Penguins, 5-1-1 their past seven games and 10-3-1 their past 14, lost to the Stars 4-3 in a shootout Friday. Pittsburgh trails the Washington Capitals by five points for first place in the Metropolitan Division having played two more games.
Players to watch
Penguins center Evgeni Malkin has 14 points (nine goals, five assists) during a six-game point streak, and 25 points (16 goals, nine assists) the past 14 games. Blues left wing Alexander Steen has 12 points (six goals, six assists) the past 11 games.
They said it
"It's an odd time, but it is what it is. Both teams got to play, so all things are equal. ... We've just got to make sure that we're locked in. St. Louis has to play at 11 (a.m. CT) too. We're not the only team that's dealing with the challenge." -- Penguins coach Mike Sullivan "It's about all that we can ask for as coaches, that's for sure, and I think what they can ask of each other. Guys are competing hard for each other." -- Blues coach Mike Yeo on winning back-to-back games
Murray will start for the Penguins after making 33 saves Friday. ... The Blues will use the same lineup from their win Friday.
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Stat pack
Crosby needs one goal for 400 in the NHL. He hasn't scored in 10 games but has 13 assists. ... Kessel had his six-game point streak end Friday but has 11 points (three goals, eight assists) the past seven games, and 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) the past 14 games. ... Hutton is 5-1-0 with a 1.13 goals-against average, a .961 save percentage and two shutouts his previous six starts.
