Pittsburgh built a 3-0 lead in the first period despite resting most of its regular players, including Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, with the playoffs approaching this weekend. The Blues took the lead with five straight goals in a span of just over 20 minutes, with Holloway and Pavel Buchnevich scoring 44 seconds apart in the third period.
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Holloway gave St. Louis its first lead 4:11 into the third with a wrist shot from the slot to the stick side against Arturs Silovs, who relieved Stuart Skinner for the third period and made seven saves. Buchnevich added a breakaway goal, his 19th of the season.
Rookie Avery Hayes scored twice in his second career multi-goal game, and the Penguins also got goals from Rutger McGroarty, Anthony Mantha and Elmer Soderblom. Hayes’ second goal brought Pittsburgh within one goal with 7:40 left.
Holloway scored an empty goal to secure victory for the Blues in their home final. Jordan Binnington had 18 saves.
Stuart Skinner stopped 17 of 21 shots before being pulled after St. Louis scored three times in the second period.
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The Penguins scored on three of their first six shots despite resting half their regular lineup. In addition to Crosby and Malkin, Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang, Rickard Rakell, Bryan Rust, Samuel Girard, Blake Lizotte, Connor Dewar and Parker Wotherspoon were eliminated with Pittsburgh already secured in its playoff position.
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St. Louis concludes its season Thursday night at playoff-bound Utah.
Pittsburgh awaits first-round playoff matchup against in-state rival Philadelphia
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL