ST. LOUIS (AP) 鈥� Charlie Lindgren made 22 saves and Pavel Buchnevich had a goal and assist, leading the St. Louis Blues to a 4-1 win over the slumping Montreal Canadiens on Saturday night.
Ivan Barbashev, Dakota Joshua and Torey Krug also scored for St. Louis.
The Blues have won seven straight home games, their longest streak since capturing nine in a row from Dec. 12, 2019-Jan. 13, 2020.
Lindgren, making his second start of the season, replaced Jordan Binnington, who remains in the NHL's COVID-19 protocol.
鈥淗e made some big saves at big times for us,鈥� St. Louis coach Craig Berube said.
Alexander Romanov scored for Montreal, ending the Canadiens' scoring drought of 134:49. Montreal has lost six in a row. Jake Allen, who spent seven seasons in St. Louis, made 33 saves in his seventh straight start for the Canadiens.
Vladimir Tarasenko added two assists for the Blues, who have picked up points in seven of their last eight games.
Lindgren made 29 saves in a 6-2 win over Detroit on Thursday. The 27-year-old saw his first action in almost two years in a relief stint against Florida two days earlier. He is listed as the fourth goalie on the Blues' depth chart.
鈥淧layer of the Game tonight for us for sure,鈥� St. Louis C Matthew Peca said.
Lindgren made 10 saves in the third period after a relaxing start to the contest.
Due to injuries and COVID issues, the Blues were forced to dress six players that began the season with the Springfield Thunderbirds of the AHL.
鈥淭hey're excited for sure and they want to prove themselves,鈥� Berube said. 鈥淭hey want to play well.鈥�
Lindgren, Peca, Joshua, Logan Brown, Nathan Walker and Scott Perunovich make up the Springfield connection.
鈥樷�橧t fun, just trying to make the most of the opportunity," Joshua said. 鈥淚t's nice to be able to step in and help the guys be able to get a win.鈥�
Buchnevich converted from close range just 63 seconds into the game. He has nine goals and 11 assists in his last 17 games.
Joshua converted on a 2-on-1 off a pass from Logan Brown for a 2-0 cushion in the second. It was Joshua鈥檚 first score of the season.
鈥淚t was a nice pass,鈥� Joshua said. 鈥淚 just made a move and I was able to put it in.鈥�
Barbashev pushed the lead to 3-0 with a power-play goal off a shot from the slot with 4:40 left in the second period.
Allen managed to keep the game close with a series of strong saves in the first period.
鈥淚t's obviously been a little frustrating,鈥� Allen said. 鈥淚t hasn't been easy. I think we need more (effort), no question. I think every guy in the locker room would say that. We need more from everyone."
NOTES: Allen was honored with a video tribute on the scoreboard during a timeout in the first period. He drew a standout ovation and answered with a wave to the crowd. ... The Canadiens went 14:33 between shots on goal over the first and second periods.
WELCOME BACK
Montreal F Joel Armia returned to the lineup after missing two games with an undisclosed injury.
INTRODUCE YOURSELF
The teams met for the first time in 784 days. Montreal won in St. Louis on Oct. 19, 2019. ... The Canadiens swept both games that season.
UP NEXT
Canadiens: Travel to Pittsburgh to face Penguins on Tuesday.
Blues: Will host Anaheim on Sunday.
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Steve Overbey, The Associated Press
