It was harder than it needed to be, but the Blue Jackets fended off the rival Pittsburgh Penguins to win 3-2 in a game decided by shootout Oct. 9 at Nationwide Arena.
Speed, energy and getting off shots weren't problems for the Jackets, who finished with a 45-22 edge in shots, but converting enough of their scoring chances into goals was a vexing issue that allowed the Penguins (2-2-1) to force overtime after trailing 2-0.
A thrilling OT didn't produce a goal, despite Matthew Knies and Adam Fantilli getting a 2-on-0 rush, so the game was decided in a shootout that started with Kent Johnson scoring for the Blue Jackets and goalie Cam Talbot (20 saves) making three
stops to win it.
Damon Severson finished with two points on a goal and assist to lead the Blue Jackets (2-1-0-) in his return from a six-month shoulder rehabilitation following surgery, while Mathieu Olivier scored a goal and Cole Sillinger added two assists.
Bryan Rust and Evgeni Malkin scored for the Penguins, including the latter tying it 2-2 at 3:19 of the third. That was after the Blue Jackets came out of a week's worth of practices by out-skating, outshooting and outplaying Pittsburgh to start a back-to-back that concludes Oct. 10 at the St. Louis Blues.
Severson opened the scoring 10:52 into the game with a one-timer off a cross-ice feed from Zach Werenski for his first goal of the season, giving the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead. He also got the primary assist on Olivier's first goal, which put the Blue Jackets up 2-0 with 8:20 left in the second.
The Jackets skated circles around the Penguins in the first two periods, finishing with shot edges of 9-3 after one period and 30-10 after two. They dominated possession, dictated play and outshot Pittsburgh 15-1 in the first 10:21 of the second.
They just couldn't get more than two goals against goalie Sergei Murashov (44 saves). Pittsburgh rallied for their goalie and tied it 2-2 on goals by Rust with 5:30 left in the second and Malkin early in the third.
Dispatch Blue Jackets/Crew reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets edge Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 in shootout
