Blue Jackets hang two late goals on Blues for 3-1 victory

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Manny Malhotra scored two third-period goals to lead the Columbus Blue Jackets past the St. Louis Blues 3-1 Wednesday night.

Picked up on waivers from Dallas in November, Malhotra has found a home on the Blue Jackets' third line. He has scored seven goals for Columbus, one fewer than his career best. The two in one game are a career high.

The win kept Columbus interim coach Gerard Gallant unbeaten at home (2-0-1) and ended the Blues' six-game winning streak over the Blue Jackets.

Todd Marchant also scored his seventh for Columbus, which came in just 4-10-3-2 against the Blues.

Chris Pronger notched his 11th goal for the Blues, who were unbeaten in three games (2-0-1).

Marc Denis stopped 27 St. Louis shots, and Chris Osgood also had 27 saves for the Blues.

With the score tied 1-1 early in the third period, Malhotra swooped in from the right wing and wristed a shot on Osgood that the goalie deflected. The rebound trickled to the slot, and Malhotra was able to beat defenseman Bryce Salvador to the spinning puck by diving. In the same motion, he caught the puck in the curve of his stick and whisked a shot past Osgood, who slammed his stick on the ice in frustration.

Malhotra then added the clincher with 4:55 remaining, crashing the net to take a pass from Jeremy Reich.