Tonight was everything one expects in a game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Pittsburgh Penguins.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | OT | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Penguins | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| Blue Jackets | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
Physical, back-and-forth, edge of your seat action with the outcome always in question.
Phil Kessel ended it for the Penguins in overtime, but the Blue Jackets did clinch a playoff berth with the overtime loss.
For two and a half periods the squads traded punches like Rocky and Drago, each Blue Jackets goal getting a Penguins response.
A nasty dime from Thomas Vanek gave Boone Jenner a golden opportunity and the score was 3-2.
What's better, the pass or the celly? #CBJ pic.twitter.com/mh36F7rm05
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) April 6, 2018
That goal was on the power play, which has finally started clicking this season for the Blue Jackets. They have seven goals in their last 13 man advantages.
The Penguins came right back again early in the third period. Only once in three tries did the Blue Jackets successfully kill a penalty, and the second failure resulted in a Kris Letang equalizer for the Penguins.
Cam Atkinson then did some dirty work in front of the net.
That's 11 goals in the last 11 games for Cam Atkinson. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/Rya0rBQj98
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) April 6, 2018
Then, Conor Sheary responded for the Penguins with the eventual overtime-forcing goal.
Matt Calvert was all over the ice for the Blue Jackets, flashing his unique blend of speed and skill. His first period goal made it a 2-1 Columbus lead.
Dirrrrrrrrrrrrrty goal from Calvert.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/NkG5zBXnW6
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) April 5, 2018
Injury Update
Josh Anderson returned to the lineup for the first time since Feb. 26. Nick Foligno is out another 1-3 weeks with a lower-body injury. Markus Nutivaara missed another game with an injury. Lukas Sedlak remains out.
Next Up
The Blue Jackets conclude their regular season in Nashville against the Predators at 8:00 p.m. on Fox Sports Ohio.
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