PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Penguins opened a pivotal home-and-home with the Blue Jackets by rolling to a 3-0 victory.
The loss left the Jackets two points behind Carolina and Montreal in the Eastern Conference wild-card chase.
Phil Kessel scored for the first time in 17 games for the Penguins.
Nick Bjugstad collected his ninth of the season for Pittsburgh.
Sidney Crosby took a high stick from Columbus’ Boone Jenner in the third period but returned to add an empty-net goal and extend his goal streak to six consecutive games.
Matt Murray stopped 25 shots for his 10th career shutout.