Columbus Blue Jackets @ Pittsburgh Penguins: 2023-25 NHL Preseason Game 8

 After the Penguins handed the Blue Jackets a 3-1 home loss last night, the Blue Jackets would be seeking a win to finish out their eight-game preseason schedule, starting the 2024-25 Regular NHL Season off on the right skate. The Blue Jackets would pull out to a quick 2-0 lead. Mikael Pyyhtia would strike with goal one at 4:25, giving James Malatesta and Stanislav Svozil the first assists of the evening. Goal two would be contributed at 5:05 by Cole Clayton. On this goal, Denton Mateychuk and Sean Kuraly would pick up the assists. Of course, the Penguins are not to be underestimated. At 6:27, N. Acolari would score for the home team, giving K. Hayes and C. Glass the first Penguins' assists of the evening. This first goal would be followed up by a second on a Penguins Powerplay, the goal coming from R, Rakell at 7:35 would cut the Blue Jackets' two-goal lead to a 2-2 tied game. Thankfully, after four goals in just eight minutes, the rest of the period would remain quiet and the first twenty minutes of play would end with that 2-2 tie. 

Period two would be challenging for our visiting Blue Jackets. J. Puljujarvi would give the Penguins their first lead of the evening with a goal at 5:54. The assists on this goal would go to L. Eller and M. Petterson. Seconds later, at 6:05, R. McGroarty would double the Penguins lead to two goals. Assists on this goal would go to J, Puljujarvi, and L. Eller. At 11:356, N. Acciari would send another put a fifth puck past Daniil Tarasov. This goal would be all his own with no assists. Kent Johnson, who seems to improve with every preseason game he plays, would match this goal with one of his own at 13:15. The comeback would be limited to that goal from Johnson, though, as Penguins' L. Eller would tack on another goal, making it 6-3 at 14:10. Assists on this goal would go to R, McGroarty and K. Letang. The goal hemorrhaging would end, at least for this period, at this point. The Penguins would carry a three-goal lead into the final regulation period.

Sadly, the Penguins would continue to find their way to the visitor's net. L. Eller would put a seventh puck into the net at 8:16, giving J. Puljujarvi and R. McGroarty each a second assist tonight. Surely, much to the relief of the Blue Jackets, this would be the final goal of the evening. The final was Penguins 7, Blue Jackets 3. It's a 4-4-0 2024 Preseason Record for the Blue Jackets, but, with any luck, this did answer any final questions that Head Coach Dean Evanson had regarding his final cuts. Even with the loss, some players shown bright and solidified their spot or name on a short list for call-ups if needed. That said, some young players may get their chance right out of the gate as Boon Jenner, joined the already growing injury list this morning. With names like Erik Gudbranson, Dmitri Vornonkov, and Gavin Brindley slots are certainly open for grabs when the season starts October 10th on the road against the Minnesota Wild. 

I know that a win going into the regular season was desired tonight, but feeding a loss like this against a rival may give this team fire ahead of the games that matter. I for one cannot wait to see what the final roster will be, and the first game cannot get here fast enough, 5th Line!   

Until then, Go CBJ!