In Pittsburgh, the Penguins broke through for 7-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.
In the process they lost two centers when both Evgeni Malkin and Nick Bjugstad left the game with apparent injuries.
Jared McCann and Patric Hornqvist each scored twice in the win.
“It took us awhile to find our swagger,” McCann said. “It’s something that this team, I feel like, needs to play with. We’ve got guys that have so much skill and need to make plays. But sometimes you just have to keep it simple and get it in.”
Matt Murray made 28 saves in the win.
“I’ve talked a lot [about] that you can never have enough centers in your lineup. Tonight was an example why. We ended up down two centers with a significant amount of the game left,” Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan said. “To have the ability to just move guys in and it’s their natural position, it really helps. I thought Jared McCann had his best game tonight when we put him in the middle. So that versatility certainly really helps.”
Zach Werenski and Gustav Nyquist scored for the Blue Jackets.
“You can just see us. We’re almost overanxious. Our patience is getting away from us right now. It’s costing us. It has to be rectified,” Nick Foligno said after the loss. “We’re doing so many good things throughout the game that are being negated by just some poor decisions because we don’t want to do the necessary thing at that moment. Sometimes it’s not the prettiest thing. Sometimes it’s not the easiest thing, but it’s the right thing to do.”
Kris Letang, Marcus Pettersson and Teddy Blueger also scored for the Pens.
“Just keep it simple,” Hornqvist said. “Don’t overthink it. Play the right way and play your game. … We bring different things to the table. I know what I’m good at and that’s what I’m going to try to do every single night.”
[WATCH:Â All Blue Jackets vs. Penguins highlights]
Elvis Merzlikins made 33 saves in his first NHL start for Columbus.
“I thought [Merzlikins] was right there,” Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella said. “But it’s an unforgiving league. It’s a good lesson for him. We knew there were going to be lessons like this for us and the most important thing now is how we handle it.
“So it’s an opportunity for us right away at the beginning of this year to teach about patience, to teach about how we have to play. Hopefully we’ll go about it the right way.”
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