Crosby's two goals lift Penguins past Blue Jackets for third win in row

PITTSBURGH -- Sidney Crosby scored two goals to help the Pittsburgh Penguins defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-1 at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday.

Crosby did not practice Monday with an illness and was a game-time decision. He has 15 goals in 26 games this season, and nine in his past 11.
"He's just a wiser version of himself," Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said of Crosby. "He's such a student of the game. He's not just a student of his own game, but a student of the game in general. He's always looking for areas to get better and improve. I think, because of that, his game is ever-evolving."

Evgeni Malkin had an assist after also being a game-time decision because of an illness, Bryan Rust had a goal and an assist, and Jake Guentzel had two assists for the Penguins (14-8-4), who are 8-1-1 in their past 10 games. Tristan Jarry made 38 saves.
Johnny Gaudreau scored, and Elvis Merzlikins made 30 saves in his return from a lower-body injury for the Blue Jackets (8-14-2), who have lost five of six. Merzlikins had been out since Nov. 15.
"We had a good first," Columbus coach Brad Larsen said. "It's the stuff that we hurt ourselves with, that's the frustrating part. We're asking a lot of some guys. We know it's a good team, but it's some of the simple stuff.
"When they get to 2-1, we hurt ourselves a lot. They're going to get their opportunities. We just find a way to sting ourselves there."

Crosby scored two of Pittsburgh's three unanswered goals in the second period after Gaudreau gave Columbus a 1-0 lead in the first.
Rust tied it 1-1 at 1:15 of the second, falling to the ice for a wrist shot after Brian Dumoulin sent a shot off the end boards that bounced back under Merzlikins. Rust has two goals and four assists in his past two games after having two points (one goal, one assist) in his previous 14.
"Sometimes you get a little bit of luck, sometimes you don't," Rust said. "Sometimes you bury your chances, sometimes you don't."
Crosby put the Penguins ahead 2-1 at 2:02 on a rebound off a shot from Guentzel, diving to his left for a wrist shot from the slot.
Crosby made it 3-1 on a power play at 10:14 when a pass from Guentzel went in off him in the crease after deflecting off the stick of Blue Jackets defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. The goal was upheld after Columbus challenged for goaltender interference.
"I couldn't go farther because he came on me. That one is a tough play," Merzlikins said. "They put the players on the backdoor right there, that corner. It's hard to push. But I saw on video, I think it hit [Gavrikov's] stick, if I'm not wrong. So, again, it's a tough one.
"I can't cheat. If I cheat, I'm going to get punished on the shot, especially in this league. ... I want that save; I want that save. I have to find the solution on that one."

Teddy Blueger could have extended the lead on a penalty shot after being hooked by Tim Berni on a breakaway at 14:13, but Merzlikins made a pad save when Blueger tried to go five-hole.
Blueger pushed the lead to 4-1 at 16:33 of the third, scoring into an open net as Merzlikins scrambled to get back after trying to get off for the extra attacker.
"It was frustrating, obviously, having that chance on the penalty shot. Kind of wasted it," Blueger said. "I think I'll sleep better tonight after getting that last one."
Gaudreau put the Blue Jackets ahead 1-0 on the first shot of the game at 1:00 of the first, driving to the left circle for a snap shot glove side.
"Two periods left, doesn't matter what the score is, they're in the game," Columbus forward Sean Kuraly said. "These games, you just have to learn from it. The good teams are never done."
NOTES: Crosby leads the NHL with 29 points (13 goals, 16 assists) at even strength. … Berni and Blue Jackets forward Kirill Marchenko each made their NHL debut. Berni had one shot on goal in 13:39 of ice time; Marchenko had two shots on goal in 10:03. … Gavrikov wore a face shield after taking a puck up high in a 4-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday. … Pittsburgh forward Rickard Rakell got his 200th NHL assist on Crosby's first goal. … The Penguins are 17-3-1 against Columbus since Feb. 3, 2017. The Blue Jackets are 0-8-4 in Pittsburgh since a 2-1 win on Nov. 13, 2015.