Columbus Blue Jackets: Pierre-Luc Dubois Shines in CBJ Loss

The Columbus Blue Jackets dropped their third preseason game Friday evening to the Pittsburgh Penguins, but there were still some bright spots for the Jackets.

One of those bright spots was Pierre-Luc Dubois. As we all know, he was selected by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft with the third overall selection. He proved in juniors that he was good and now he’s getting his chance to make it in the big leagues.

The 19-year-old didn’t show up in the scoreline in his first preseason appearance against the Chicago Blackhawks earlier in the week, but he was able to change that against Pittsburgh. PLD scored for the first time this preseason–and then he scored again.

Related Story: Pierre-Luc Dubois Has Passed Jesse Puljujarvi

Duboi’s first goal in Columbus came very early into the second period when he decided to shoot from near the blue line. Usually, that doesn’t work. But PLD is not a usual guy.

His second goal would come about halfway through the third period to tie the game up at three goals apiece. Unfortunately, Olli Maatta scored with just 1:33 to go in regulation to seal the game for Pittsburgh.

Other Bright Spots

Cameron Gaunce, who played 12 games for the Penguins last year and signed a two-year/way contract with the CBJ this summer, scored the other Blue Jackets goal of the night. Although it won’t push him into making the NHL roster, it’s great to see him score against his old team.

Sonny Milano got another assist, pushing his preseason total to three after his two-assist night Wednesday. He continues to make the most out of his opportunities.

Doyle Somerby also deserves a shoutout. After sliding and crashing hard into the boards during the first period, Somerby left for the dressing room. Fortunately, he came back and finished out the period and the game. He finished with a game-high three blocks.

Low Points

The Blue Jackets have struggled in a few areas in the preseason. Obviously, this isn’t necessarily indicative of how the regular season will pan out, but the lineups put out there so far have been lackluster in two areas consistently: faceoffs and power play.

Columbus once again got bested in the faceoff circle for the most part once again, losing 58% of them to the Penguins Friday. They also allowed the Blues to get 58% of faceoffs and let the Blackhawks win 54%. The lack of center depth definitely could have something to do with that, but nonetheless, it’s something that can never be overlooked.

The lack of power play efficiency was a problem last season as the team neared the playoffs and it has continued into the preseason. The Blue Jackets are 1/21 on power play opportunities through the first three exhibition games. The only successful man-advantage was in the third of period of the Blackhawks game when Seth Jones buried his second goal of the night.

Recap: CBJ Fall to Chicago in Preseason Opener

What’s Next

On the backend of the back-to-back, the CBJ have the Blackhawks Saturday night. This will be the fourth game of the preseason and the last time we see the Hawks until Oct. 7.

It may also be the first time that we can reunite with Brandon Saad since the trade that sent him packing from the 614.