Columbus Blue Jackets fall in Bittersweet loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins

A bittersweet night for the Columbus Blue Jackets ends in an overtime loss.

Bittersweet is the way the Columbus Blue Jackets felt after falling to the Pittsburgh Penguins. A tough overtime loss to their rival but a playoff spot clinched will have many fans conflicted on how to feel after the 5-4 loss.

The Jackets never trailed in the game but the Penguins countered every time the Jackets would score. Zach Werenski opened the scoring early in the first period on a weak backhand that trickled past Matt Murray.

Five minutes later, the best power play in the NHL converted after a Seth Jones tripping call. Phil Kessel ripped a shot through Ian Cole that Sergei Bobrovsky never saw and never had a chance of stopping.

Two minutes later Matt Calvert decided to try his best Connor McDavid impression and was it a thing of beauty. Calvert toe dragged around Ollie Matta and kicked the puck to his backhand where he sent it past Murrays blocker to regain the lead.

But of course the Penguins countered and closed out the first period with a 2-2 tie. A tie was a solid result for the Columbus Blue Jackets coming out of the first period though. They were out played and outshout almost two to one.

The second period was the only time the Jacket seemed to control the pace of play. They slowed the game down and they were able to convert on a power play opportunity. Boone Jenner extended the lead to 3-2 and the Jackets headed into the third with a chance to finally beat the Penguins in 2018.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Third Period

That was not to be though as the Penguins turned it on in the third period. Kris Letang netted a power play goal early in the third to tie the game again, this time at three all.

Pierre-Luc Dubois and Cam Atkinson gave the Jackets a chance to win after converting on a 2-2 breakout. Dubois found a cutting Atkinson who took his initial shot off of Murray’s pads and poked the rebound home.

Three minutes later Seth Jones and Zach Werenski allowed a terrible goal after Conor Sheary split the pair and took the puck to the net. Bob made the initial save but the puck was still loose. It stayed loose for about a second and neither Werenski or Jones, who were surrounding Sheary, were unable to clear the puck. Sheary then poked the puck softly past Bobrovsky to tie the game at four.

With still seven minutes left in the game the Penguins put on a massive push and had several chances to win the game in regulation. Bob stood tall as the Columbus Blue Jackets were outshot 14-8 in the final period.

Overtime ended a minute in on the Penguins first shot of overtime. Phil Kessel streaked down the left side and ripped a shot from the circle that beat Bob. Alexander Wennberg gave Phil all the space in the world and left him an open shot to win the game.

Next: Ranking Possible CBJ Playoff Opponents

It certainly wasn’t the ending Jackets fans wanted but it was the one we needed. By getting to overtime, the Jackets gained a point and secured a playoff spot. For the first time in franchise history, the team is going to the postseason in back to back seasons.

The Jackets have one more game before the head to the Stanly Cup Playoffs where it looks like they will play, you guessed it, the Pittsburgh Penguins.