Penguins Fend Off Blue Jackets to End Losing Streak
The Pittsburgh Penguins found their way back to the win column over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
PITTSBURGH – The Pittsburgh Penguins enter trade deadline week with a lot of eyes on them. Everyone is curious about what the future holds for multiple Penguins, but there are still games to be played. The Columbus Blue Jackets entered Pittsburgh on the second half of a back-to-back, and the Penguins completely overhauled their forward groups.
There is still a firm belief in the Penguins locker room that they can still fight for a playoff spot, and they entered this contest with a great deal of confidence.
First Period
With so many changes to the Penguins lineup, the first few shifts felt like a long feeling out process. The Penguins and Blue Jackets both got their chances, but nothing too eventful.
The feeling-out process continued until about 6:30 remained in the opening frame, when Ryan Graves made a great effort to keep the puck alive in the Blue Jackets zone. Graves’ keep at the line found a wide-open Jesse Puljujarvi, who found the back of the net for his first goal with the Penguins.
Just before the clock struck a minute remaining in the period, Evgeni Malkin let go a blast of a slap shot that beat Blue Jackets goalie Jet Greaves cleanly. No screen or fancy moves, just a howitzer of a shot.
Reilly Smith assisted on the goal, crediting him with his 500th career point.
Entering the first intermission, the Penguins were leading the Blue Jackets by a pair of goals, and they looked to be carrying a ton of momentum.
Second Period
That momentum didn’t make it through the intermission, as the Blue Jackets picked up a pair of goals early to tie the game at two.
Johnny Gaudreau capitalized on a one-time opportunity in the slot to give the Jackets their first goal. Andrew Peeke's shot from the blue line deflected off Malkin’s stick past Tristan Jarry for his first of the season.
In the matter of a minute, the Penguins went from the driver’s seat to fighting to retake the lead. For a good chunk of the frame, however, it looked like the Penguins were asleep at the wheel.
The Blue Jackets went from being down two and doubled up in shots on goal to a tie game and a lead in the shot department.
The Penguins got the first power play opportunity of the night, and while it was an ugly bounce, they’ll take it. Former Penguins defenseman Eric Gudbranson went to dump the puck from behind his net, but it immediately hit off Rickard Rakell’s foot and slipped past Greaves.
They managed to claim the lead again, but things still didn’t look perfect heading into the third period. The Blue Jackets still had a fair lead in shots on goal and almost tied the game again a few times in the dying minutes.
Third Period
Entering the final frame, the Penguins had another power play opportunity as the Blue Jackets were assessed a high-sticking penalty as the second period came to an end. The Penguins didn't capitalize on the chance, but still had a lead to work with.
Another power play opportunity arose for the Penguins, but it seemed ugly at first. Jack Roslovic scored short handed to tied the game at three. It didn't take long for Jeff Carter and the Penguins answer back, however, with their second power play goal of the game.
Carter was looking to feed Smith on the backdoor, but it deflected off a Blue Jackets defender into the cage.
Smith did, however, get his chance a few minutes later with a wide open chance in front of Greaves. Smith's goal gave the Penguins a 5-3 lead with just about 10 minutes to play.
The Penguins killed off a late penalty to retain their lead with only a few minutes remaining. The Jackets pulled their goalie to try and crawl back in but no dice.
The Penguins found their way back to the win column with a much needed victory.
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