The Penguins came into this game on the back of a poor performance against the Isles in their first appearance in the new Barclays Center. The Penguins were without Carl Hagelin for that game and their offensive efforts were weak to say the least. One notably poor performer was Phil Kessel who seems to be having a real problem potting pucks this season.
Before this game a lot of noise was made about the inclusion of Tim Sestito in the roster, a potential deterrent to Dubinsky. He didn't play in the end and I think his comments beforehand had a play in that. He would have been going out there not with the intention of doing his best to score and prevent the other team from scoring but just to seek retribution on Dubsinky. That would just cause problems and we need the best players with actual hockey skills if we're to make the play-offs.
Pittsburgh started the strongest and put a lot of pressure and pucks on Bobrovsky, returning from injury, early on. However, a poor defensive assignment gave the Blue Jackets a 2-on-1 which Campbell slotted past Fleury for the opening goal on their first shot.
Pittsburgh had a number of powerplay opportunities throughout the game and at time the resulting play looked like something out of a Benny Hill sketch. The Penguins did manage to take the lead on a Letang point shot over 14 minutes through the first however. Kunitz, who has struggled this season and been invisible at times scored a quick banked goal early in the second after some great physical work by Crosby and Hornqvist. That stretched Crosby's point streak to 7 games.
Columbus scored against to tie on a break-away but Hagelin wrapped it up for the Pens to give them a hard fought win that they really deserved. At times the play was very rough and it was good to see the Pens stand up for themselves. The metro games keep coming with a matinee game against the New York Rangers on Sunday.
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