"There would be no rollover game to launch them into the All-Star break. The Penguins knew that.

Their 3-2 shootout win Tuesday night against the St. Louis Blues at Scottrade Center was as tough a game as they have played, primarily because the Blues have evolved into one of the NHL's best teams in the span of a less than three months.

"They're a physical team and they just keep coming," said winger Chris Kunitz, who celebrated his 500th NHL game by scoring the deciding goal in the shootout."