NHL
Johnson’s shootout goal lifts Blue Jackets past Penguins 3–2
Cam Talbot won his Columbus debut after the Penguins erased a two-goal deficit behind Bryan Rust and Evgeni Malkin.
Kent Johnson scored the only goal of the shootout as the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3–2 at Nationwide Arena on Friday, October 9.
Cam Talbot made 20 saves in his Columbus debut. Pittsburgh failed to score on its three shootout attempts after Johnson converted the opening attempt for the Blue Jackets.
Damon Severson had a goal and an assist, and Cole Sillinger assisted on both Columbus goals in regulation. Sergei Murashov made 43 saves for Pittsburgh, which was outshot 45–22 through regulation and overtime.
Severson opened the scoring at 10:52 of the first period, with Zach Werenski and Sillinger assisting. Mathieu Olivier extended the lead to 2–0 at 11:40 of the second, assisted by Severson and Sillinger.
Bryan Rust started Pittsburgh’s comeback at 14:30 of the second, with Samuel Girard picking up the assist. Evgeni Malkin tied it at 3:19 of the third on a goal assisted by Erik Karlsson.
Neither team scored in overtime. Talbot then faced Rickard Rakell, Egor Chinakhov and Ben Kindel in the shootout, with the Penguins unable to answer Johnson’s goal. Pittsburgh earned one point for reaching overtime; Columbus took the extra point.
