The Pittsburgh Penguins took on the Columbus Blue Jackets last night, in what was the Penguins second to last game of the preseason. Forwards Kevin Hayes, Jonathan Gruden, and Valtteri Puustinen each recorded a goal, and forwards Rutger McGroarty, Boko Imama, Joona Koppanen, Jesse Puljujarvi, Tristan Broz, and Ville Koivunen each recorded a point for the Penguins, while goalie Tristan Jarry made 34 saves on 35 shots. Forward Cole Sillinger scored the lone goal for the Blue Jackets, with assists by forward Kent Johnson and defenseman Ivan Provorov. Goalie Elvis Merzlikins made 21 saves on 23 shots.
The Penguins started their “B” team for the final time this preseason. Players looked to show their skills as an attempt to prove why they deserve to be in the opening night lineup. The Blue Jackets fielded a roster full of NHL players.
Recap
In the first period, forward Cole Sillinger broke the ice with 12:36 left in the first period to give the Blue Jackets the 1-0 lead after receiving a feed from forward Kent Johnson.
In the second period, forward Valtteri Puustinen tied the game after forward Ville Koivunen won a puck battle behind the net against Blue Jackets defenseman David Jiricek and fed a feed out in front.
In the third period, Penguins forward Jonathan Gruden would break the tie just under five minutes in after deflecting home a shot-pass from forward Joona Koppanen that beat goalie Elvis Merzlikins between his legs. Forward Kevin Hayes added an empty net goal to secure a 3-1 Penguins victory.
Three Stars
- PIT G Tristan Jarry (34/35, 1.00 GAA, .971 SV%)
- PIT F Jonathan Gruden (1G)
- CBJ F Cole Sillinger (1G)
Game Notes
- CBJ F Dmitri Voronkov left the game in the first period due to an upper-body injury and did not return to the game
- Penguins PK goes 2/2
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