We've seen this before.
The Columbus Blue Jackets met the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena for the first time this season. The Penguins came in leading the season series 2-0.
Entering play, the Blue Jackets have lost nine straight games in Pittsburgh, dating back to Nov. 13, 2015, when the Jackets last won 2-1.
It's been 2,321 days November 13th, 2015 since the #CBJ picked up a win in Pittsburgh. Barack Obama was President, the newest iPhone was the 6S, and not only were the Vegas Golden Knights not in the NHL yet, but the city of Las Vegas hadn't even been awarded a franchise.
— CBJ Stats (@BlueJacketStats) March 22, 2022
After tonight, that number has moved to 10.
Radim Zohorna, Jake Guentzel (two), and Bryan Rust all scored in the second period, and Evgeni Malkin added one in the third, powering the Penguins to their third straight win, 5-1. Sidney Crosby had three assists and Rust had a two-point night.
Gus Nyquist scored for Columbus.
Joonas Korpisalo was in goal for the Blue Jackets, making 32 saves. Tristan Jarry made 26 saves for his fifth straight win.
Game Flow
The Blue Jackets had the first period edge in the special teams battle which resulted in an advantage on the scoreboard.
After killing an initial Gabriel Carlsson penalty and limiting the Penguins to one shot, the Blue Jackets made good on a high sticking double minor power play.
Gus Nyquist notched his 16th with a final poke of the puck, eeking it over the goal line, to give the Jackets the early 1-0 lead at 8:37. Jake Voracek and Zach Werenski picked up assists.
Nyquist tapping it through! pic.twitter.com/4Vs57B8gpN #CBJ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 22, 2022
Then things turned.
The Penguins struck fast in the second period with two goals in 36 seconds—Zohorna (Chad Ruhwedel, Brian Boyle) at 2:40 and Guentzel (Evan Rodrigues, Crosby) at 3:16.
Rust (Brian Dumoulin, Malkin) made it 3-1 at 7:28. That may as well have been the dagger. Rust had two points on the night.
Before the period was through, the Penguins found scoreboard again with Crosby (Mike Matheson, Kris Letang) getting initial credit before it wound up being Guentzel's second goal of the night. The fourth goal was weird but the result was much the same as the second period narrative.
Hard to tell, specifically, who it goes in off but that's what happens when you throw it at the net with some bodies there. It deflected at least once on the way in.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) March 23, 2022
Either way, Pens have been rampant this period.
Korpi
It's been a tough season for Korpisalo but the trade deadline has passed and the UFA-to-be is still starting games for the Blue Jackets.
Between his on-ice struggles this season and the latest injury (back) that's sidelining Elvis Merzlikins, the Blue Jackets had little choice other than to hold onto Korpisalo.
Korpisalo has traditionally played well when he's able to get into a zone and he was forced to be good early on with 12 first period saves.
Unfortunately, the second period took a quick turn for the worse after allowing the two fast goals.
Good early start = first period.
— Mark Scheig (@markscheig) March 23, 2022
Rest of game...not so much.
The first goal (Zohorna) came off a rebound. On the second goal, the net was wide open to Korpisalo's left for Guentzel to grab the easy score. For the third goal, Rust powered his way to the net to beat Korpisalo. The fourth goal was an odd one, but luck hasn't been on Korpisalo's side this year, and certainly not in this period.
#CBJ Korpis positioning on all 4 goals tonight. The defense has been pretty bad too but you still need someone to cover the goal. Im curious if Berube will start the 3rd. pic.twitter.com/Lq8cwVrWi0
— Ordo Ab Chao (@mashedpotatoes) March 23, 2022
Berube didn't get into this game but it's not a bad idea.
Let's See What Works
With the back tightness sidelining Merzlikins, he's expected to be out for a bit.
Elvis Merzlikins will be "out for a little bit" with a back injury, Kekalainen said. #CBJ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 21, 2022
Since the Blue Jackets are playing out the final 18 games this season in the role of spoiler, it could be an opportunity to see what Berube (3-1-0, 3.25 GAA, .924 SV%) can do in his second NHL stint with the club if Merzlikins won't be playing soon. Or even if Merzlikins does return quickly and Berube takes games away from Korpisalo.
The final month of the season is an opportunity to provide ice time for players that might not otherwise see much action, and take inventory for next season.
That turns our attention to the future and the NCAA hockey tournament.
The University of Michigan starts tournament play this weekend. Once the Wolverines' season is over, eyes will be set for Kent Johnson's Blue Jackets career which could start before next year.
Jarmo Kekalainen mentions Kent Johnson and Kirill Marchenko as players the #CBJ "hope and believe" will be members of the team next year
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) March 21, 2022
Andrew Peeke was helped off the ice in the third period after blocking a shot but returned.
The Jet Stream
The Blue Jackets battle the Winnipeg Jets on Friday at Canada Life Centre at 8:00 pm ET. The Blue Jackets defeated the Jets 3-0 on Nov. 24. The Jets defeated the Vegas Golden Knights 4-0 tonight in Winnipeg.
