Columbus Blue Jackets @ Pittsburgh Penguins: Season 25 1/17/26

 The Columbus Blue Jackets have found their winning ways since Rick Bowness joined the team as Head Coach. Tonight, against their biggest division rival, they'd look to add to his 2-0-0 record. Zach Aston-Reese would start the effort with his first goal this season, scored at 2:42 into Period 1! Zach Werenski continues building his point mountain with his thirty-fourth assist this season on the primary, while Brendan Gaunce gets his fourth assist this season on the secondary. But the Penguins are always a strong foe, countering with their own goal at 9:59 by way of Connor Clifton. This marks his first goal of the season, and the only assist on it would become the sixteenth this season for Tommy Novak. Rickard Rakell would then give his home team their first lead of the night with goal number seven of his season at 17:52. Sidney Crosby comes away with the only assist on the Penguins' second goal tonight, giving him twenty-seven so far this season. The opening period would conclude with that 2-1 Penguins lead, and the Penguins would also win the shots on goal battle in this period, too, 10-4. But, don't worry, 5th Line, because we'll rally in Period 2!   

For the second game in a row, Kirill Marchenko scores a goal all his own in Period 2! This would tie us at 2-2 at 7:32, and it would become his eighteenth this season. Then, about ten minutes later, at 17:38, Danton Heinen would direct the puck into the Penguins' net, past goalie Arturs Silovs, for his first goal in a Blue Jackets uniform! It marks his second goal this season. Erik Gudbranson, who's fought injuries almost all season, finally gets his first assist on the primary. The secondary assist is credited to Egor Zamula, and it's his second assist this season, but first since joining the Blue Jackets after starting the season with the Philadelphia Flyers. So, a big goal that not only reestablishes the Blue Jackets' lead, but gives some new Blue Jackets their first points on the team! The middle period would conclude with the 3-2 Blue Jackets lead, and they would also win the shots on goal battle, 13-8. Now that's how you road rebound in front of your new coach! 

In Period 3, the Blue Jackets would kill off a huge power play advantage while Adam Fantilli sat in the penalty box for holding Penguins' Ben Kindel. The Blue Jackets would push to not only keep their one-goal lead but also extend it. That said, Sidney Crosby is always a legendary thorn in our side, and tonight would be no different as he'd tie the game, 3-3, at 18:59. This is his twenty-sixth goal this season. Kris Latang adds his twenty-second assist this season on the primary, while the secondary assist becomes number twenty-five this season for Evgeni Malkin. It's the classic line, leading to a classic tie, which takes us to overtime with the Penguins for the fourth time this season. Is it nerve-racking? Yes. Do I take it as a good sign that we're keeping pace with the Penguins in every meeting this season? Also, yes. For those wondering, the Penguins would win the shots on goal battle in the final regulation period, 8-6. Now, to bonus hockey we go.

Overtime wouldn't settle this game tonight either! I know you're shocked. The shots on goal for this five-minute bonus period were 6-2 in favor of the Penguins. That said, Elvis Merzlikins put on a show in this period to keep the Blue Jackets' hopes of a second point tonight alive, and it was incredible to watch. Now, on to the shootout, 5th Line!  

Kent Johnson would score in round one, and Elvis Merzlikins would hold off Rickard Rakell. 

No one would score in Round 2 of the shutout, but Elvis Merzlikins would stop Sidney Crosby, and we'll always celebrate that! 

Round 3 would see Yegor Chinakov, the newly traded Blue Jacket, score against Elvis Merzlikins. Kirill Marchenko would be stopped by Arturs Silovs. 

Round 4 would see Elvis Merzlikins make another hute stop, and Charlie Coyle would seal the deal and make his goalie good on his promise. Elvis Merzlikins promised a win, and he and the Blue Jackets delivered. And now, it's a four-game WIN STREAK! 

For his efforts, Elvis Merzlikins is awarded a Star of the Game for the second game in a row! Tonight, he takes the Third Star of the Game after stopping 29 of the Penguins' 32 shots on his visitors' net. This gives him a .906 save percentage. 

No surprise, with his 1-1-2 night, Sidney Crosby gets the Second Star of the Game. 

And with his first goal as a Blue Jacket, Danton Heimen get the First Star of the Game.  

Our Blue Jackets will travel back home for their next game. We'll play Tuesday night as we welcome the Ottawa Senators to Nationwide Arena. The game is set for the classic 7:00 p.m.

GO CBJ!!!!


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