Penguins Master Columbus, Gain Inside Track on Home-Ice Advantage

In a preview of their probable upcoming playoff series, the Penguins made a statement—and perhaps gained an edge—with a convincing 4-1 victory over Columbus last night before a packed house at PPG Paints Arena.

Predictably, the contest was a clash of contrasting styles. Led by heavyweight forwards Josh Anderson, Scott Hartnell and Boone Jenner (21 hits combined), the visitors pounded the home team with a hard forecheck, piling up a 39-27 advantage in shots on goal and a 49-36 edge in hits. Knocking out black-and-gold forwards Matt Cullen and Bryan Rust in the process.

At their quick-strike best, the opportunistic Pens beat Sergei Bobrovsky four times. Including Patric Hornqvist’s game winner off the rush midway through the second period.

“We’re just going to play,” said Pens coach Mike Sullivan, reinforcing his club’s turn-the-other cheek approach. “We’re going to play our game. Teams are going to play (physically) against us and they’re going to try to play their game. What I love about our players and our team is I know that we’re brave. I know we play with courage. I know that we can play through things.”

After standing toe to toe with Columbus through an evenly played opening frame, the Pens grabbed the lead 69 seconds before the horn on a clutch goal by Carter Rowney. Scott Wilson pounced on a turnover by Cam Atkinson in the high slot and skirted Brandon Dubinsky before releasing a knuckling shot/pass from a sharp angle. Rowney gained body position on Blue Jackets defender Jack Johnson and tipped the puck over Bobrovsky’s glove.

Nonplussed, John Tortorella’s crew flexed their considerable muscle in the second period. The grind was beginning to wear on the Pens’ defense when Hornqvist struck for his 20th goal of the season off a pretty cross-ice dish by Tom Kuhnhackl. Halting the surging Blue Jackets in their tracks and diffusing their hammer-and-tongs tactics.

“We know they’re going to bring that physical element,” said Pens defenseman and third star of the game Brian Dumoulin. “I thought we did a good job of weathering it and just moving pucks by them. We know they’re going to come and try to finish us. It’s important for us to try to limit their hits.”

Dumoulin provided some much-needed insurance at 12:30 of the period, circling behind the Columbus net and using his long reach to beat Bobrovsky to the far post before banking the puck in off Atkinson’s skate. “Dumo’s” first regular-season tally in 151 games and the second of his NHL career.

After watching teammates Cullen and Rust fall victim to the Jackets’ boisterous play, the Pens delivered a gut punch of their own 33 seconds into the final period.

Catching their foes flatfooted, Justin Schultz took a pass from Sidney Crosby high in the offensive zone and flicked the puck into a crowded crease. The rubber narrowly missed Crosby before deflecting in off Jake Guentzel’s leg. The rookie’s 14th goal of the season and seventh in 13 games.

Ever the villain, Dubinsky, whose crunching first-period check sent Rust to the locker room, broke Murray’s shutout bid midway through the stanza with a shorthanded tally. With Crosby wisely tethered to the bench in the closing moments following a collision with the truculent Jenner, the Pens shut Columbus down the rest of the way to emerge with an all-important victory.

“Every point is huge right now,” said goalie Matt Murray, at his big-game best with 38 saves. “I’m not going to sugarcoat that.”

Puckpourri

The Pens split the season series with Columbus. Each club recorded a regulation and overtime win. The Blue Jackets outscored the Pens, 13-10.

Guentzel paced the locals with a goal and an assist. Crosby collected two helpers. Phil Kessel unleashed a game-high eight shots on goal.

Ron Hainsey finished a plus-3. In 13 games with the black and gold, the veteran defenseman is a plus-8. The Pens are 9-3-1 when he plays.

Schultz’s assist was his first point since March 21, snapping a six-game drought.

Trevor Daley and Tom Sestito participated in yesterday’s practice. Both wore yellow non-contact jerseys. Wilson was shaken up on a hit by David Savard, but returned following a visit to the locker room. No word at present on the nature or severity of the injuries to Cullen and Rust.

Columbus is 22-17-4 since January 5. The Pens are 24-11-6 during that span.