Preseason Game Preview: Pittsburgh Penguins vs Columbus Blue Jackets

The Pittsburgh Penguins are set to host the Columbus Blue Jackets at PPG Paints Arena for what will be the final preseason game for each team. The Penguins will be starting their NHL roster for this game, minus the goaltenders, while Columbus will play a mix of AHL and NHL rosters. This is the final opportunity for players to make their mark and prove to their respective coaches that they deserve to be in the lineup for opening night, so expect a hard-fought battle of a game.

The Penguins are looking to finish the preseason above .500, as they are currently 3-3, while the Blue Jackets are currently 4-3 so far. The Penguins defeated the Blue Jackets, 3-1

Penguins Roster

Forwards: Rutger McGroarty, Michael Bunting, Drew O’Connor, Kevin Hayes, Boko Imama, Jesse Puljujarvi, Cody Glass, Lars Eller, Noel Acciari, Rickard Rakell, Evgeni Malkin, Anthony Beauvillier, Sidney Crosby

Defensemen: Jack St. Ivany, Matt Grzelcyk, Sebastian Aho, Ryan Graves, Marcus Pettersson, Harrison Brunicke, Kris Letang

Goalies: Joel Blomqvist, Filip Larsson

Blue Jackets Roster

Forwards: Cole Sillinger, Sean Kuraly, Owen Sillinger, Dylan Gambrell, Adam Fantilli, Mathieu Olivier, Hunter McKown, Trey Fix-Wolansky, Luca Del Bel Belluz, James Malatesta, Mikael Pyyhtia, Kent Johnson

Defensemen: Jake Christiansen, Denton Mateychuk, Jordan Harris, Cole Clayton, David Jiricek, Stanislav Svozil

Goalies: Daniil Tarasov, Jet Greaves

Player To Watch:

The player to watch for this game is Penguins forward Rutger McGroarty. It will be his final shot at trying to impress Head Coach Mike Sullivan for a spot on the opening night roster. McGroarty is likely battling Jesse Puljujarvi for a spot on the Penguins third line, and this game is likely going to be the difference maker on who gets the final spot.

The game will be available to watch on Sportsnet Pittsburgh and available to listen on 105.9 the X.

ITR 47: Then There Was Nothing Inside The Rink

Join Conrad and Chris as the discuss Gavin McKenna making the jump to the NCAA, Pittsburgh and San Jose making additions, and the NHL season to begin on October 7, 2025.
  1. ITR 47: Then There Was Nothing
  2. ITR 46: Offseason Chaos
  3. ITR 45: Everything Is Happening
  4. ITR 44: We Have A Champion…Again
  5. ITR 43: It's Winning Time

Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Nik Shermeto

PT ‘23 | 🇺🇸/🇨🇦 | Penguins writer for Inside The Rink | Thoughts are my own.

Leave a Reply

Taking a Look at the Detroit Red Wings Draft History

I have written that the Detroit Red Wings have not been able to acquire a superstar player in the NHL Entry Draft due to their not having won the NHL’s draft lottery since its inception in 1995. Before this, the draft order was set in reverse order of the standings from the previous season. Defenseman […]

Read More
Jason Smith

Former Oilers Defenseman Will Coach The Oil Kings

Not breaking news involving our Edmonton Oilers, but still a pretty cool headline for nostalgia purposes. Jason Smith, who was part of the Oilers blueline from 1999/2000 to 2000/2008, and team captain during their Cinderella run to the Stanley Cup Finals in 2006, has signed on to be the head coach of the WHL’s Edmonton […]

Read More

ECHL: Oliver Cooper Signs with Florida, Adds Size and Grit Up Front

The Florida Everblades have signed 30-year-old forward Oliver Cooper for the 2025–26 season. A 6’3”, 205-pound center from Fredericton, New Brunswick, Cooper brings a physical presence and a proven winning track record to the Everblades’ forward group. ECHL Familiarity and European Experience Cooper returns to the ECHL with a wealth of professional experience. Most recently, […]

Read More