Groundhog Day: Blue Jackets lose two-goal lead in 3rd, fall to Pittsburgh in OT
Saturday, November 28, 2025
By Kevin Rouch
krouch@cbussports.com
Brendan Gaunce beats Pittsburgh goaltender Tristan Jarry for a shorthanded goal during the Columbus Blue Jackets’ 4-3 overtime loss Friday at Nationwide Arena. Photo: Kevin Rouch
The Columbus Blue Jackets once again gave up a lead in the third period and lost in overtime. This time, it was the Pittsburgh Penguins who rallied from a 3-1 deficit to tie the score in regulation and then win in extra time. Friday’s action at Nationwide Arena felt like a morning in Punxsutawney with Bill Murray.
In the month of November, the Blue Jackets are 2-0-4 in the games in which they’ve led by two or more goals in the third period. Zach Werenski summed it up nicely talking to reporters after the game, “We’re sick of talking about it. I’m sure you guys are sick of asking about it, and I’m sure fans are sick of seeing it.”
Columbus played well through the first two periods. After Sidney Crosby got the Penguins on the board first with a goal six minutes into the first period, the Blue Jackets scored three straight.
Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin flies past Blue Jackets goalie Jet Greaves and ends up in the net during the action at Nationwide Arena Friday. Photo: Kevin Rouch
Sean Monahan evened the score at 1-1 with a goal at the 13:40 mark of the first. It was Monahan’s first goal since Nov. 10 at Edmonton and, uncharacteristically, only his third tally of the season.
Early in the second period, Brendan Gaunce scored on a shorthanded breakaway for his first goal of the campaign. With only four seconds remaining in the frame, Zach Werenski slapped one home from the left point, his ninth of the season.
The air got sucked out of the arena early in the third period. Just 13 seconds after the face off, Bryan Rust collected the puck on the sidewall between two Blue Jackets and, finding himself wide open as he moved toward the net, fired one past Columbus goalie Jet Greaves.
Columbus defenseman Damon Severson (right) checks the Penguins’ Sidney Crosby during Pittsburgh’s overtime win Friday at Nationwide Arena. Photo: Kevin Rouch
The Penguins tied the game at the 8:28 mark in the third when Crosby recorded his second goal of the game. The Pens’ captain got behind the Columbus defense as he received a perfect pass from Tommy Novak. Crosby rushed the net and flipped it into the net past a defenseless Greaves.
Pittsburg didn’t waste any time in the 3-on-3 overtime period. Just 59 seconds in, Kris Letang scored on a give and go with Novak on either side of the slot. The point blank shot found its way to the back of the net for the 4-3 win.
The Blue Jackets get a couple of days off before heading to New Jersey to take on the Devils Monday beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Dmitri Voronkov (10) on his toes trying to tip a shot into the Pittsburgh net. The Penguins beat Columbus 4-3 in overtime at Nationwide Arena Friday. Photo: Kevin Rouch