Penguins Preview: Sidney Crosby Emerging - Again
The Pittsburgh Penguins welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets flying high after their most recent victory.
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Penguins have points in back-to-back games and are coming off their most impressive victory of the season. It may be too little, too late for the Penguins' postseason hopes, but they are suddenly playing better hockey. Their next opponent is the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets. Here's what to watch for as the bottom two teams in the Metropolitan Division face off.
1. Crosby Returns to Form
After going scoreless in five of the first six games after the trade deadline, Sidney Crosby has found his rhythm and is trying to guide his team to the postseason. The last two games especially have looked like vintage Crosby games, with seven points in those contests.
A significant component of Crosby's success over the past few games has been his linemates, Bryan Rust and Drew O'Connor. Each of them has the speed to keep up with Crosby and get in on the forecheck, allowing the captain even more time to create offense. This has certainly softened the blow of losing Jake Guentzel, and the result is that the Pens' best player is motivated and surging. The Blue Jackets should be prepared and possibly afraid of the game Crosby is about to play against them.
2. Columbus Facing Another Rebuild
The Blue Jackets are perhaps the only team, aside from the Penguins, having a more disappointing season in the Metropolitan Division. Sitting in last place, the Jackets are the only Eastern Conference team officially eliminated from playoff contention. After firing their general manager midway through the year, they are staring down a roster and organizational rebuild in the offseason. Their head coach was supposed to be an assistant coach this season but was promoted after Mike Babcock was fired just 78 days after being hired.
With so many questions swirling about the direction of the team and upper management, will their veterans like Johnny Gaudreau, Boone Jenner, or Elvis Merzlikins be available this summer? In the meantime, the Blue Jackets are limping into the season's final games and are realistically fighting for the number one overall draft pick.
3. Penguins Home Win Streak Against Blue Jackets
The Penguins have been dominant at PPG Paints Arena against the Blue Jackets. Since 2015, the Pens have won 14 straight home games against the Jackets, the longest active home winning streak against one opponent in the league.
Over the last 11 matchups overall, the Penguins have earned at least a point in each of them, going 10-0-1. Since 2019, Columbus has failed to secure a win in regulation against Pittsburgh. Can the Pens keep their dominance going against the Blue Jackets?
The Penguins and Blue Jackets square off at PPG Paints Arena at 7:00 p.m.
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