Pittsburgh Penguins RW Bryan Rust is looking to find more consistency this season. Before a near era of Pittsburgh Penguins hockey can really take off, they have to get through a handful of preseason games. The Penguins kicked off their 2023 preseason with the first of two split squad games against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Between both lineups, the opening battle at PPG Paints Arena mostly consisted of players fighting for roles on their respective rosters. Given what’s on the line for so many of the players, it was an important opening game for the Penguins. Alex Nedeljkovic started between the pipes for the Penguins with prospect Joel Blomqvist sitting as backup. It didn’t take long for skaters looking to take NHL spots to make an impact for the Penguins. About half way through the first period, forward Alex Nylander found a drop feed from Radim Zohorna. Nylander has a great chance of becoming an every day NHL player again, especially if he picks up right where he left off last season. In the later stages of the opening frame, defenseman P.O. Joseph tossed a shot towards the net but it found a way past the Blue Jackets goalie. The Penguins entered the first intermission looking like the far better squad despite lagging in shots on goal. About half way through the second period, the Penguins swapped Nedeljkovic for Blomqvist to give both goalies some preseason reps. Nedeljkovic finished his day with a perfect 18 saves on 18 shots. Blomqvist picked up right where Nedljkovic left off, finishing out the frame with six saves keeping the score 2-0 into the second intermission. The Blue Jackets finally broke through to end the shutout big with a lucky bounce on an early power play opportunity in the third period. While still leading by a goal, the Penguins didn’t record their first shot of the period until almost nine minutes in. Not many more shots would follow for either team, but the Blue Jackets took advantage of some poor decision making to knot the game at two. A uncalled for drop pass and untimely defensive change led to the golden opening for the Blue Jackets. With the scored tied at two at the end of three periods, the Penguins and Blue Jackets would play a little extra hockey to open the preseason. The five-minute overtime period wasn't enough, either, leading to a shootout. Nylander and top prospect Bryaden Yager notches goals and Blomqvist made a pair of stops for a perfect shootout for the Penguins. The first preseason game finishes with a 3-2 final score in the shootout; in just a few hours, the second game of the day between these two organizations will commence. Make sure you bookmark Inside the Penguins [http://insidethepenguins.com/]for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns and so much more. Sidney Crosby Believes Oilers' Superstar Can Reach 170 Points [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/pittsburgh-penguins-sidney-crosby-connor-mcdavid-170-points] Penguins vs. Blue Jackets: [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/pittsburgh-penguins-columbus-blue-jackets-split-squad] Split Squad Matchup [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/pittsburgh-penguins-columbus-blue-jackets-split-squad] Evgeni Malkin Meshing Well With New Linemate [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/pens-talk/pittsburgh-penguins-evgeni-malkin-meshing-new-linemate] Kris Letang and Erik Karlsson To Share Penguins Power Play [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/kris-letang-erik-karlsson-share-pittsburgh-penguins-power-play] Penguins All-Time Great Will Consider Career Options After Season [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins/news/pittsburgh-penguins-marc-andre-fleury-consider-career-after-season] * undefined * undefined Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNTkwMDEyNjI0OTM4MzYw/img_6014.jpg]
