Lars Eller had two goals and two assists to help the Pittsburgh Penguins conclude their preseason schedule with a 7-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.
His linemates Rutger McGroarty and Jesse Puljujarvi also enjoyed great success. They each added a goal and two assists in the victory.
However, the Penguins quickly fell behind 2 to 0 in this game. Mikael Pyyhtia and Cole Clayton scored in a span of 40 seconds early in the first to put the Jackets in control.
Pittsburgh, however, responded with five unanswered goals. Noel Acciari and Rickard Rakell first tied the game in the first period, then Puljujarvi, McGroarty and Acciari’s second gave the Pens a three-goal lead.
Kent Johnson reduced the deficit to two goals, but Eller scored twice to secure the victory for the Penguins.
Joel Blomqvist signed the victory with a 26-save performance. Daniil Tarasov had a difficult evening on the other side of the ice. He turned away just 18 of the 25 shots he faced.
Five points for Barzal, three for Duclair
Mathew Barzal contributed to his team’s five goals, Anthony Duclair added three points and the New York Islanders beat the Rangers 5-2.
Barzal had a goal and four assists while Duclair provided a goal and two assists for Patrick Roy’s squad. Bo Horvat scored two goals.
The Islanders trailed 0-2 before scoring five unanswered goals.
Adam Fox had a goal and an assist in the loss.
Semyon Varlamov made 20 saves.
Huberdeau and Mantha are a pair
Jonathan Huberdeau scored in a 3-2 loss for the Calgary Flames at the hands of the Winnipeg Jets.
Huberdeau’s new line partner got an assist on the sequence.
Kyle Connor gave the Jets the victory by breaking the tie with 3:09 remaining.
