The St Louis Blues were forced into overtime, but Robert Thomas’ power-play goal two minutes into the extra frame snuffed the Pittsburgh Penguins’ comeback attempt, as the Blues claimed their eleventh straight win with a 5-4 victory Thursday, April 3 in St Louis.

Bryan Rust netted the only goal in the first period, when he sent a wrist shot past Joel Hofer to put Pittsburgh on the board. Jake Neighbours tied the game 39 seconds into the second period with his first of two goals on the night. It was also the first of three Blues goals in the middle frame, with Pavel Buchnevich and Jordan Kyrou claiming scores. Neighbours’ second goal made the score 4-2 early in the third, but a power play goal from Rickard Rakell brought the Penguins within one, and with their goalie pulled, Pittsburgh forced overtime with 25 seconds remaining, when Rutger McGroarty scored his first NHL career goal. Despite outshooting the Blues 28-19, the Penguins failed to register a shot on goal in overtime, as a slashing penalty assessed to Kris Letang gave the Blues a four-on-three power play, setting up Thomas’ game-winner.

The win is the Blues’ 11th in a row, tying the franchise record set in early 2019 that turned around the team’s fortunes en route to their Stanley Cup title that season. The Blues are two points ahead of Minnesota for the first wild card spot, with five games to go. Calgary claimed a 4-1 win over Anaheim on Thursday to now sit seven points behind Saint Louis, with two games in hand, while Vancouver is now ten points behind, also with two games in hand. The Blues will host Colorado on Saturday at 6 p.m.

Elsewhere, Minnesota is at the New York Islanders on Friday, while the Canucks will host Anaheim on Saturday afternoon and the Flames will host Vegas on Saturday evening.