Final Score: Penguins 3 – Blue Jackets 2
Game Summary
So much for Tom Sestito’s warning to Brandon Dubinsky, Sestito didn’t even dress for the game. For the Penguins it didn’t matter as they picked up the 3-2 win and Dubinsky didn’t do anything to Sidney Crosby.
The game was relatively even for the most part. Pittsburgh had a slight edge in the first, with a 10-8 shot advantage. The Jackets has a slight edge in the third with a 10-6 shot advantage. The game was decided in the second period as Pittsburgh took it to the Jackets out shooting them 15-9 and getting two goals, the latter of which turned out to be the game winner.
Overall this was a physical game but really wasn’t as chippy as past games. There were some big hits by both teams, but neither team went over the edge, which was good to see. I think the Penguins realized the importance of getting two points and didn’t get involved with the extra-curriculars after the whistle.
As expected the Dubinsky-Crosby matchup happened again. Crosby had the upper hand tonight. His line with Chris Kunitz and Patrick Hornquist were able to score against Dubinksy's line, as they created scramble in front of Sergei Bobrovsky and Kunitz was able to poke the puck in. Crosby picked up as assist on the play and finished with a 57.58% Corsi.
Bobrovsky was back tonight and he looked fine. He appeared to have no issues with mobility or movement. He was a little rusty but that was to be expected. You could argue that he didn’t have a chance on all three of the goals. Two were on scramble plays and the other was a rocket from Kris Letang on the power play.
The fourth line of all the lines kicked off of the scoring for the Jackets. Jared Boll blocked a shot; it ricocheted to Rene Bourque who passed it up to Boll setting up a two on one with Gregory Campbell. Boll made the cross ice pass and Campbell ripped it home.
Campbell also added an assist on the Jackets second goal. Those were Campbell’s first points since December 4th and his first two point game on the season.
Cam Atkinson scored that second goal. Campbell turned the puck over at his blue line; Ryan Murray picked it up and rocketed a pass up to Cam who had just jumped on the ice. Cam had a partial breakaway and made a sick move to beat Fleury.
Cam was flying out there again tonight. He had the goal, but also had plenty of chances, including another breakaway. He was one of just three Jackets, Matt Calvert and William Karlsson the others, to finish with at least a 50% Corsi.
Stat of the Night
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Stats courtesy of
HockeyStats.ca,
War On Ice, and
Hockey Reference.
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