PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – Pens scored their first couple of goals falling down and win going away 4-1 against the Blue Jackets.
A snipe by Columbus All-Star Johnny Gaudreau gave the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead after one period. Then it was a pair of hard-working Pens goals that put them in front for good just a couple of minutes into the second period.
Bryan Rust scored almost on his rear off an assist from Brian Dumoulin.
“I was just trying to get to the net as hard as I could,” Rust said. “I saw it kind of squirting there and I just tried to whack at it and I was lucky enough for it to go under the goalie’s pad.”
It was 47 seconds later when Sidney Crosby followed up a Jake Guentzel rebound and as he was falling down in front from the left side, gave the Pens the lead. Crosby would add a power play goal on a great feed from Guentzel just to the left of the goalie as he directed it in to make it 3-1.
“He’s such a student of his own game, he’s a student of the game in general,” Pens Head Coach Mike Sullivan said of Crosby. “Because of that, his game is always evolving. He can score in so many different ways. The goal he got on the power play on the back post, he drags his leg and gets down and makes himself big. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen him score that goal over the years. Not many guys can score that goal.”
Teddy Blueger with an empty net goal, his first of the season to make the final 4-1.
“It felt great,” Blueger said. “As much as you try not to think about it, it was in the back of your mind at little bit, especially the first one. It’s frustrating, I had that chance on the penalty shot and wasted it. I will sleep better tonight getting that first one.”
Guentzel left the game in the third period after getting his feet tangled and going hard into the boards. He would get up slowly, but spotted after the game with a smile on his face outside the locker room and no visible wraps or treatments.
Penalty Kill
One of the keys Tuesday night, holding Columbus 0 for 5 on the power play. On three of the one-man advantages, the Blue Jackets had no shots.
“I think we were able to get them to the outside,” Blueger said. “Obviously we wanted to contain Laine, he has a big shot. Jarry was big for us.”
“They were letting me see the puck,” Jarry said, stopping 38 total shots. “When I’m able to see the puck, it helps a lot. Guys are blocking shots and we are getting clears. I think that’s a big part, when we are able to get clears we are getting fresh guys on the ice. It keeps our energy level up.”
Milestones
With the secondary assist on the Crosby goal, Rickard Rakell got his 200th career assist in his 595th game. He becomes the sixth player on the Pens active roster with at least 200 career assists joining Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, Jeff Carter, Kris Letang and Jeff Petry. Another is close, Guentzel has 193.
Crosby had multiple goals in a game for the 90th time in his career, passing Jean Beliveau and now tied with Glenn Anderson for 33rd on the NHL all-time list. Up next, Stan Mikita with the Pens all-time record, 154 by Mario Lemieux, fourth all-time.
Lineup return
Danton Heinen returned to the lineup on Thursday. He has been out since November 26. Re-signing here after a career-high 18 goals last season, Heinen has three goals and six assists in 23 games.
Jake Guentzel-Sidney Crosby-Rickard Rakell
Jason Zucker-Evgeni Malkin-Bryan Rust
Brock McGinn-Jeff Carter-Kasperi Kapanen
Heinen-Teddy Blueger-Josh Archibald
Marcus Pettersson-Jeff Petry
Brian Dumoulin-Jan Rutta
Not on injured reserve after suffering a stroke last week, Kris Letang remains on the active roster and a scratch.
Up Next
Pens are on the road for one game Friday night in Buffalo before a return home on Saturday against the Sabres and then home to Dallas on Monday.