Sidney Crosby scored in overtime to lift the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 5-4 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night, capping a back-and-forth contest that kept fans on the edge of their seats at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins captain’s game-winner came just 1:18 into the extra period, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and securing two crucial points for Pittsburgh in the competitive Eastern Conference standings.
The Penguins, who had blown a two-goal lead in the third period, showcased resilience as they battled back from adversity. Goaltender Tristan Jarry made several key saves down the stretch, allowing Crosby to ultimately deliver the decisive blow.
"It was a hard-fought game," Crosby said after the game. "They're a team that works hard and competes. We had some ups and downs, but we found a way to win, and that's what matters."
The game started with a flurry of offensive action. Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin opened the scoring just 3:47 into the first period, firing a wrist shot past Columbus goalie Elvis Merzlikins. Bryan Rust extended the lead to 2-0 midway through the period, capitalizing on a power play opportunity with a deflection in front of the net.
Columbus responded late in the first when Johnny Gaudreau scored on a breakaway, cutting the Penguins' lead in half. The Blue Jackets carried that momentum into the second period, with Boone Jenner tying the game at 2-2 early on.
The Penguins regained the lead later in the second period when Rickard Rakell scored his first goal of the season after joining the team on waivers. Pittsburgh extended their lead to 4-2 in the third period when Jake Guentzel tapped in a rebound.
However, the Blue Jackets refused to go away quietly. Emil Bemstrom scored a power-play goal with just under ten minutes remaining in regulation, narrowing the gap to 4-3. Then, with just 2:30 left on the clock, Cole Sillinger scored a contested goal in front of the net, tying the game at 4-4 and forcing overtime. The goal was heavily reviewed due to a possible high stick, but the call on the ice stood.
The Penguins controlled possession early in overtime, and Crosby ultimately sealed the victory with a wrist shot from the high slot that beat Merzlikins cleanly.
"We had some breakdowns defensively that cost us," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. "But I liked our resilience. We found a way to win a tough game against a team that's playing hard."
Merzlikins finished the game with 31 saves for the Blue Jackets, while Jarry stopped 28 shots for the Penguins. The Penguins went 1-for-3 on the power play, while the Blue Jackets were 1-for-4.
The victory improves the Penguins' record to 7-5-2. The Blue Jackets fall to 4-7-2.
Looking ahead, the Penguins will host the Washington Capitals on Friday night. The Blue Jackets will travel to face the Boston Bruins on Thursday.
The game showcased the Penguins’ offensive firepower and their ability to overcome adversity, even against a determined Blue Jackets squad. While defensive lapses remain a concern, Crosby's clutch performance provided a significant boost to the team's morale and playoff aspirations.
