Kent Johnson scored the only goal of the shootout as the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 at Nationwide Arena on Friday. The Blue Jackets outshot the Penguins 45-22 in front of 17,057 fans at Nationwide Arena.
Damon Severson opened the scoring 10:52 into the first period on a snap shot, and the Blue Jackets carried a 2-0 lead into the third before Pittsburgh rallied. Evgeni Malkin tied it 2-2 with 3:19 gone in the third period on a deflected shot assisted by Erik Karlsson, sending the game to overtime and eventually a shootout, where Johnson beat the Penguins goaltender for the deciding goal.
Key Moments: How The Blue Jackets Edged Pittsburgh
Columbus built its lead with goals in each of the first two periods. Severson’s snap shot at 10:52 of the first, assisted by Zach Werenski and Cole Sillinger, put the Blue Jackets ahead 1-0. Mathieu Olivier made it 2-0 at 11:40 of the second period, converting on assists from Severson and Sillinger.
Pittsburgh answered twice in the final 25 minutes of regulation. Bryan Rust cut the deficit to 2-1 at 14:30 of the second period on a snap shot set up by Samuel Girard, and Malkin’s deflection in the third, assisted by Karlsson, forced overtime. Neither team scored in the extra period, pushing the Blue Jackets Penguins shootout to a decision, where Johnson’s goal settled it.
Top Performers From Both Teams
Severson led all skaters with a goal and an assist for two points, and he also logged 22:20 of ice time. Sillinger set up both of Columbus’ regulation goals for two assists. Zach Werenski played a team-high 29:36 and picked up an assist on Severson’s goal, while Adam Fantilli won 14 of 16 faceoffs.
For Pittsburgh, Malkin finished with the team’s lone goal and a point, and Karlsson recorded an assist on it. Columbus won 30 of 45 faceoffs (66.7%) and out-hit Pittsburgh 21-9. The Blue Jackets’ 45 shots to Pittsburgh’s 22 proved decisive. Both teams went scoreless on the power play, Columbus 0 for 4, Pittsburgh 0 for 2.
What It Means For The Standings
The win moved Columbus to 2-1-0 on the young season, good for 4 points and fifth place in the Metropolitan Division. Pittsburgh dropped to 2-2-1 with 5 points, sitting fourth in the division behind Washington. The Blue Jackets also took a 1-0 lead in the season series between the two teams.
What’s Next For Both Teams
Columbus improved to 2-1-0 with the win. Pittsburgh fell to 2-2-1 and continues searching for consistency early in the season.
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