After a resounding 5-2 win two weeks ago against the Penguins, the Blue Jackets headed to Pittsburgh hoping to overcome a 0-5-3 record in their last eight games in Pittsburgh.
Not to mention, the Jackets are also coming off a huge win against the Capitols on Monday.
You would have thought momentum from these two recent games would have played a significant role in the energy the Jackets brought to tonight’s game, but that didn’t appear to be the case.
Instead, the game started off as another one in which we’re just waiting for the Blue Jackets to score. The weird thing is that Pittsburgh was waiting on the Penguins to score as well.
However, this is relevant to bring up:
No Crosby
No Malkin
No Dumoulin
No Hornqvist
No BjugstadAnd the Penguins still find a way to get the win. Incredible! #LetsGoPens
— nhlpens (@nhlpens) December 13, 2019
The Penguins were handily outshooting the Jackets, having nearly double the amount of shots as the Jackets by the end of the game (32 to 17). However, due to each team’s inability to finish, plus a solid game played by both Joonas Korpisalo and Tristan Jarry, we ended up in overtime. Classic.
The entire game was fairly lackluster and did not get interesting until after regulation had ended. PLD was called for slashing, which turned out to be the tipping point the Penguins needed to finally bury one behind Korpi.
The Jackets played a good defensive game, minus a few key mistakes that ultimately led to their loss, plus their standard lack of offensive production. If we were to look for a silver lining, which I am not sure that I am in the mood to do yet but maybe I will consider it in the morning, it’s this: at least they are leaving Pittsburgh with another point.
Onwards and upwards to Ottawa on Saturday at 1 p.m.