By Joe Coopersmith

GAME AT A GLANCE

THREE STARS 1^st – Z. Werenski, CBJ (1-1-2); 2^nd – D. Severson, CBJ (0-1-1, game-deciding shootout goal); 3^rd – B. Rust, PIT (1-1-2)

GOAL SCORERS
Columbus: SHG – M. Olivier (5), K. Marchenko (19), Z. Werenski (7), SO – D. Severson

Pittsburgh: D. O’Connor (13), B. Rust (24), R. Rakell (12)

GOALTENDERS
Columbus: E. Merzlikins (30 saves, SOW)
Pittsburgh: A. Nedeljkovic (35 saves, SOL)

SPECIAL TEAMS
Columbus PP:  0-for-4, 7 shots
Pittsburgh PP:  0-for-2, 4 shots

BLUE JACKETS TEAM NOTES

• The Blue Jackets snapped their six-game losing streak with tonight’s shootout victory over the Penguins, improving to 5-8-2 in the last 15 games and 8-12-2 in the past 22 contests since Feb. 17.
• CBJ also snapped Pittsburgh’ three-game win streak in the series dating back to Nov. 14, 2023.
• The winning team in the series has scored four-plus goals in 12 of the last 16 games overall and nine of the past 11 at Nationwide Arena (including shootout).
• The teams in the series have combined for 70 or more shots in eight of the last 11 games.
• CBJ blueliners posted 1-2-3 tonight and have now recorded 18-56-74 in the last 36 games and 31-132-163 in 74 games this season.
• Columbus recorded 38 shots on goal tonight and has posted 757 shots on goal over the past 24 games dating back to Feb. 10 (31.5).
• CBJ have scored the first goal of the game in 32 of the past 55 games, including six-straight, eight of the last nine and 14 of the last 20.
• The Blue Jackets have now had 18 of their games decided in overtime/shootout this season.
• Columbus scored one goal in the first period tonight and has now scored a goal in the first period in five of the past six outings (6 goals total) and 71 total this season.
• Tonight’s attendance was a sellout crowd of 18,873.

BLUE JACKETS PLAYER NOTES_­

• D Zach Werenski notched his 10^th multi-point effort of the campaign with 1-1-2 to give him 3-7-10 and three multi-point outings in the last nine contests. With 7-41-48 in 62 games, he has tied his single-season career high in points (2021-22) and tied Seth Jones (2017-18) for the second-most assists by a defenseman in a single season. He now has 3-7-10 in 18 career games against Pittsburgh, including assists in four of his last six contests vs. the club (1-4-5), points in seven of his past ten outings overall (2-6-8) as well as 2-5-7 in his last eight appearances at home against the Penguins.
• D Damon Severson tallied an assist in his second-straight contest (0-2-2) and scored the game-deciding shootout goal. He improved to 4-of-11 in the shootout for his career with all four goals game-deciding goals. The blueliner has now posted 1-4-5 in the past eight games and 7-17-24 in 59 appearances this season.
• RW Mathieu Oliver scored his first career NHL shorthanded goal to extend his goal streak to two-straight games – tying his career high goal streak (2-0-2, Mar. 23-25, 2021). With 5-5-10 in 46 contests this season, he has also tied his single-season career high in goals.
• C Cole Sillinger registered an assist to give him 1-2-3 in the past two games and has notched a new single-season career high in assists with 12-16-28 in 69 appearances. He improved to 1-3-4 in 10 career games vs. Pittsburgh, including 1-2-3 in two-straight contests against the club.
• LW Johnny Gaudreau recorded an assist, giving him 0-5-5 in the last six outings (overall, 11-44-55 in 74 GP). He now has 9-7-16 in 21 career appearances vs. the Penguins, including points in eight of his last 12 contests against the club overall (5-4-9) as well as 5-4-9 in 11 career home appearances vs. Pittsburgh.
• RW Kirill Marchenko notched a goal to give him 2-1-3 in his past six outings and 19-16-35 in 70 appearances this season.
• RW Cameron Butler made his NHL debut in the second period tonight, finishing with one shift of 54 seconds.

BLUE JACKETS POST-GAME AUDIO INTERVIEWS

HC Pascal Vincent | F Cameron Butler | G Elvis Merzlikins | D Zach Werenski

PENGUINS POST-GAME AUDIO INTERVIEWS

HC Mike Sullivan | F Sidney Crosby | G Alex Nedeljkovic | D Marcus Pettersson

BLUE JACKETS UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Sunday, Mar. 31                     12pm ET Practice – Nationwide Arena

Monday, Apr. 1                       7pm ET vs. Colorado Avalanche – Nationwide Arena

Tuesday, Apr. 2                      No Practice

COURTESY BLUE JACKETS COMMUNICATIONS