Ugly but Winning, Penguins Game 40: Lines, Notes & What to Watch vs. CBJ

Pittsburgh Penguins beat Ottawa Senators 6-4 on Thursday night. They have won their last three games and five of their past seven. On Friday, they play the second game of a back-to-back against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Columbus is 11 points behind Boston Bruins for the No. 2 spot in the NHL standings. Philadelphia Flyers lost their 10th straight game on Wednesday night, losing to the New York Rangers.

Penguins are playing a game against Columbus Blue Jackets.

Penguins are playing against Columbus. The game is a coin flip.

Penguins win the first period 2-1. Bryan Rust scores the opening goal.

Pittsburgh Penguins have scored first in 23 of their 23 games. Sidney Crosby has 35 points in 30 career games against Columbus. Jason Zucker and Drew O’Connor are on LTIR, and Louis Domingue is on IR. The Penguins are 6-3-0 in back-to-back games, with 4-1-2 on the first night and 2-4-5 on second night. They are 13-6-7 on road, while their .690 points percentage is third-best. Kris Letang has a career-long nine-game points streak. Mike Matheson”s GWG tied him for the league lead among defensemen with Cale Makar.

Mike Matheson's goal on Thursday tied him for the league lead among defensemen with Cale Makar.