Photo via Yahoo Sports

Takeaways: Murashov Bright Spot Against Blue Jackets In Penguins' Third-Straight Loss

The Pittsburgh Penguins suffered their third consecutive loss Friday night, falling to the Columbus Blue Jackets in a 3-2 shootout defeat. The game highlighted the Penguins' offensive struggles, as they managed only six shots in the first two periods while the Blue Jackets controlled play with a 27-6 shooting advantage by late in the second frame.

Sergei Murashov provided a bright spot for Pittsburgh, making 43 saves on 45 shots faced to keep the game tied through regulation.

The Blue Jackets' victory was secured by Cam Talbot, who became the first NHL goalie to win a game with nine different teams. Talbot, the league’s oldest goalie, made 20 saves in the shootout, including stopping all three attempts from the Penguins before Kent Johnson scored the lone goal to seal the 3-2 win.

The Penguins entered the game seeking to break their three-game losing skid, but their inability to generate offense early proved decisive. Columbus dominated possession from the outset, outskating Pittsburgh 45-22 in the first two periods and capitalizing on the Penguins' defensive lapses with two quick goals.

The Penguins failed to sustain any significant offensive pressure. Murashov’s strong performance in net was the only positive for Pittsburgh, as he preserved the tie into the third period before the game slipped away in the shootout.

The loss marked the Penguins' 15th shootout defeat in their last 18 attempts, underscoring a persistent issue for a team that has struggled to close out games when regulation ends in a tie. While Murashov’s performance offered a glimmer of hope, the Penguins' offensive limitations remained a concern, particularly against a Blue Jackets team that controlled both possession and scoring chances.

The Penguins' back-to-back series against Columbus continues.

Up nextNHL· 3h ago

Takeaways from the Ducks 5-1 Win over the Jets