GAME PREVIEW
The Penguins take on the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena for their first of four meetings in the 2022-23 season. Tonight the Penguins embark on their season-long five-game, eight-day road trip through Columbus, Edmonton, Calgary, Vancouver, and Seattle. Last season, the Penguins were a perfect 4-0-0 against the Blue Jackets. Since the Metropolitan Division was formed for the 2012-13 season, Pittsburgh has dropped the season series with Columbus just once (2014-15). Pittsburgh is 15-3-1 in its last 19 games against Columbus dating back to February 3, 2017. Pittsburgh is 32-10-4 in its career against Columbus. Additionally, overall the Penguins are 13-6-4 on the road versus the Blue Jackets all-time. The Penguins have scored three or more goals in 13 of their last 16 games against the Blue Jackets, while 10 of those 16 games have had four-plus goal efforts.
QUICK HITS
Sidney Crosby led the team last year against Columbus recording eight points (4G-4A) in four games played. He has the fifth-most points among active players against Columbus as he has recorded 43 PTS (13G-30A) in 34 games played.
Brian Dumoulin led the team in blocked shots (8) and plus/minus (+6) last year versus Columbus. Additionally, he notched three points (1G-2A) in four games.
Josh Archibald is leading the team in hits (16) in four games played, averaging 4.00 hits per game.
Last year, Jeff Carter was 67.2% in the faceoff circle against Columbus going 39-19. In 25 career games against the Blue Jackets, Carter has 14 goals, eight assists and 22 points.
Tristan Jarry is 4-1-0 in his career versus Columbus with a 1.50 GAA and a 9.44 SV%.
LIGHTING THE LAMP
For the third time in four games this season, and for the third-consecutive home game, the Penguins scored six goals with six different players finding the back of the net. This season marks the first time in franchise history, and sixth time in NHL history, that a team has scored six-plus goals in each of their first three home games of the season (LAK, 4 GP in 1988-89; NYI, 4 GP in 1984-85; COL, 3 GP in 1996-97; CGY, 3 GP in 1991-92; and HFD, 3 GP in 1985-86). The Penguins are outscoring their opponents 20-8 through four games this season, with their plus-12 goal differential and 5.00 goals-per-game average both leading the league. Pittsburgh’s 20 goals are the fourth-most through the opening four games of a season in franchise history.
COACH INTERVIEW
Video: Sullivan speaks to the media.
GAME TRIGGER PROMOTIONS
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