COLUMBUS, Ohio — Sidney Crosby picked up the 79th game-winner of his career, helping Pittsburgh bounce back from a two-goal deficit with a 6-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night. , giving the Penguins their first road win of the season.
Danton Heinen scored twice, Josh Archibald and Jan Rutta added a goal and an assist respectively and Brock McGuinn also scored. Crosby and Kasperi Kapanen each added two assists.
“I wasn’t ready to play in the first period. I was completely blown away by Columbus,” Penguins manager Mike Sullivan said. “I give the players a lot of credit.
Tristan Jarry has stopped 29 shots for Pittsburgh, scored three points in each of the last two periods, and has won four of his first five games. The Penguins now lead the Metropolitan Division with his nine points.
Boone Jenner scored the goal, Jack Roslovich scored short-handed, and Kent Johnson scored his first NHL goal for Columbus. Elvis Merzlikins stopped his 33 shots.
Pittsburgh had not scored a shot when Columbus led 1–0 with 7:13 in the first. Chris Lettang’s clear pass ricocheted off Johnny Godreau’s skate and onto Jenner right in front of the net.
Rozlovic jumped on a Penguin turnover to make it 2-0 and scored shorthanded with 1:16 left in the first.
Archibald cut the Blue Jackets lead in half at 3:43 two seconds later, but Columbus made it 3-1 with Johnson’s first NHL goal 14 seconds later.
“We didn’t execute well,” said Crosby.
The second and third periods were clearly Pittsburgh’s.
Lutta pulled the Penguins within one midway through the second with a laser from the blue line, and Heinen filled in Crosby’s rebound to tie it with 5:41 remaining.
“We’re still 3-3 and in third place,” said Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen. “You have to collect yourself. That’s part of professional hockey. We took the first one and they took the second one. We have to collect it.2 runs in 3 periods.It’s just a killer.It shouldn’t happen.”
Crosby’s one-timer at 5:38 third from the bottom right circle gave Pittsburgh their first lead of the game. Heinen and McGinn scored 44 seconds apart of him and completed the scoring with just over five minutes remaining.
“We got it right the first time, but they didn’t,” Jenner said. I thought we were just a little set back, and a team like that would reward you.”
control
The Penguins have won six straight games over Columbus since last season. Pittsburgh is 16-3-1 in his last 20 games with Columbus dating back to February 3, 2017.
triple time
Sidney Crosby had three 3-point shots in his first five games (3 goals and 7 assists).
iron man
Jonny Gaudreau played in 300 straight regular season games and had the third longest active Ironman streak behind Phil Kessel (987) and Brent Barnes (683). Gaudreau also maintained his points-per-game pace with seven points in six games.
injury update
The Penguins played without Jake Guentzel, who was out of the lineup after hitting two shots to the head in Pittsburgh’s win over Los Angeles on Thursday. I’m here. … Blue His Jackets forward Justin His Danforth suffered an upper body injury in the first period and did not return.
shot clock
Pittsburgh did not record a shot on goal in the first 11:30 of the game. By his 4:00 mark in the third period, they outdid Columbus with his 26-24 shots.
A sense of helplessness
The Blue Jackets are 12-0 on power plays this season, making them the only NHL team not to score a man-advantage goal.
next
Penguins: Monday night in Edmonton.
Blue Jackets: Sunday at the New York Rangers.
Comments
Post a Comment