In a dynamic NHL matchup, the Columbus Blue Jackets faced off against the Vegas Golden Knights and the Pittsburgh Penguins in back-to-back games, showcasing moments of resilience and challenge. Against Vegas, the Blue Jackets secured a 6-3 victory, overcoming an early tie to dominate the game. Erik Gudbranson's notable goal in the second period helped Columbus regain the lead, setting the stage for their eventual win, with shots favoring Vegas 25-24. This victory was particularly significant as it highlighted Vegas' struggles, marking their eighth loss in the last ten games and pushing them to fourth place in the Pacific Division. The following night in Pittsburgh, the Blue Jackets encountered a tougher battle. Despite a promising comeback in the second period where they leveled the score to 2-2, with goals from Johnny Gaudreau and Andrew Peeke, Columbus ultimately fell to the Penguins 3-2. A pivotal moment came when Erik Gudbranson's clearing attempt inadvertently led to a power-play goal for Pittsburgh, sealing the win for the Penguins, with the Blue Jackets outshooting the Penguins 24-18. These games underscored the fluctuating fortunes in the NHL, with Columbus demonstrating grit and potential amidst the challenges.
#CBJ scored twice in the 2nd period but trail 3-2 after 40 minutes. The Blue Jackets outshot the Pens 18-6 in the 2nd and now lead in shots, 24-18.
End of two in Pittsburgh and it's 3-2 #LetsGoPens over #CBJ ... Jackets get goals by Gaudreau and Peeke to tie it 2-2 before Rakell gets lucky with a Gudbranson shot that hits his left skate and slides into the net.
#LetsGoPens lead 3-2 after two periods. Much better period for #CBJ, the Gudbranson shot that ended up in his own net not withstanding.
3-2 Pens after 40 #CBJ
POWER-PLAY GOAL FROM RICKARD RAKELL! Erik Gudranson's clearing attempt goes off the Penguins forward and puts Pittsburgh back in front.
#LetsGoPens score a power play goal at 14:32. Rackell gets it. Erik Gudbranson's clearing attempt near the #CBJ net goes off Rackell and bounces into the net. 3-2, Pittsburgh leads at 14:32 of the second
Gudbranson tries to clear the puck from behind the net with a big clapper and sends it off Rakell's left skate the blue paint ... redirecting it between Greaves' pads for a #LetsGoPens PPG and 3-2 lead over #CBJ late 2nd.
Rakell scores a power play goal off his skate to give the Penguins a 3-2 lead over #CBJ with 5:28 left in the 2nd.
Pens retake the lead on the power play with 5:28 to go. Erik Gudbrason tries to clear and it goes off Rickard Rakell's skate and into the net. Bad luck play. 3-2 Pens lead. #CBJ
First goal of the season for Andrew Peeke there. With his goal, Johnny Gaudreau has 20 points in the last 20 games. Jack Roslovic has 11 points in the last 11 with his helper. #CBJ
And now #CBJ tie the game, 2-2 as Andrew Peeke notches his 1st of the season 57 seconds after Gaudreau's goal. Jake Bean and Alex Nylander record assists on the goal.
Andrew Peeke from high in the right circle off a great effort play by Texier at 5:28 and we're tied 2-2. Peeke's first goal since April 13, 2023, vs. ,,, Pittsburgh.
GOAL JACKETS! TIE GAME! Peeke, his first goal of the season. 2-2!
That's Peeke's first goal of the season in his 22nd game. #CBJ
Peeke with a shot from the right point, re-directed off Malkin's stick in the slot pas Jarry to tie it 2-2 just 5+ into the second. #CBJ #LetsGoPens
GOAL JACKETS! Johnny Hockey stays hot, Jackets within one. #CBJ
Penguins lead #CBJ 2-0 after the opening period of play in Pittsburgh. Pens outshot the Jackets 15-6 in the 1st.
#CBJ down 2-0 after a period. Simply put, not a good one. Outshot 15-6, Natural Stat Trick has high-danger chances at 8-0 Penguins.
2-0 Pens after 20 #CBJ
Malkin scores with 1:03 to play in the 1st to make it a 2-0 Pens lead over #CBJ.
#CBJ down 2-0 with 1:03 left in the first. Evgeni Malkin walks into a slap shot and rips it by Greaves from the right dot. Jackets maybe caught on a change there.
2-0 Malkin clapper off a turnover with 1:03 left 1st, far side on Greaves. #CBJ in a hole in Pittsburgh. Again.
Evgeni Malkin adds onto Pittsburgh's lead with his second goal in as many games to put the Penguins up 2-0 with 1:03 to go in the period.
1-0 #LetsGoPens Puljujarvi off a keep-in feed from Graves at left point ... off a turnover by Jenner sent low to high up the RW boards. #CBJ
Jesse Puljujarvi opens the scoring with 6:27 to go in the opening frame! What a keep from Ryan Graves, quickly pushing the puck up to the Penguins forward at the blue paint, who buries it.
Pens take a 1-0 lead with 6:27 left in the first. Good keep-in at the line for the Pens as the #CBJ was going north, and Jesse Puljujarvi was behind the defense. Roofs one over Greaves' glove.
Puljujarvi gets the Pens on the board, 1-0 them.
VGK have 20 games to figure it out. 2-7-1 in last 10 games, including three straight Ls (Columbus 6 Vegas 3 today) https://t.co/1yxsOUaBgV
Final, 6-3 Columbus. The Golden Knights took 3-of-4 points in the first two games of this road trip. Then, they allowed 18 goals over the final three games. Vegas has two wins in their last 10 games. 20 games remain. And the Golden Knights are no closer to finding their game.
Final- Columbus 6, Vegas 3 The Golden Knights have lost 8 of their last 10 games, now in fourth place in the Pacific by points %. To lose this game like this, to a last place team, is honestly shocking. Maybe it shouldn’t be? This team is really struggling right now.
End of the second, 3-2 Columbus. The Golden Knights were really good the first seven or eight minutes of the second period. But Columbus pushed back, scoring on a rather nothing play.
End of two and it's 3-2 #CBJ over #VegasBorn ... Vegas with a 25-24 edge in shots. You know the Golden Knights will be coming out hot to start the third.
#CBJ lead 3-2 after 40 minutes of play. Shots are 25-24, VGK.
#CBJ up 3-2 after 40 and gets a nice ovation from the Nationwide Arena crowd. Jackets probably had the better of the second half of that period and deserve the lead.
Gudbranson puts Columbus back on top 3-2 with a blast over Hill’s blocker.
Erik Gudbranson. 3-2 Columbus. Big clapper to give the Blue Jackets the lead.
Gudbranson with a howitzer with 2:39 left in the 2nd puts #CBJ up 3-2 on #Vegasborn. Clapper from the right dot beat Hill clean.
#CBJ Gudbranson with plenty of space in the right circle, dials up the big ol' slapshot. Clean. 3-2 #CBJ at 17:21 of the second.
#CBJ and the Golden Knights tied 2-2 after the first period of play. Shots are 11-10, VGK.
2-2 after 20 minutes in Columbus. #CBJ started fast but let the Golden Knights get back into it late in the period. Gotten tighten up some things, but I like how they created early.
End of one and we're 2-2 in Columbus. #CBJ goals by Danforth, Nylander. #VegasBorn goals by Morelli, Karlsson. Shots 11-10 Vegas.
GOAL JACKETS! Danforth picks up a pass from Kuraly and fires it home. 1-0 #CBJ!
Things are under way in Columbus. #CBJ have an early 3-0 advantage in shots in the first 2:11 vs #Vegasborn