Penguins score 5 straight, defeat Blue Jackets in OT on Crosby goal

PITTSBURGH -- Sidney Crosby scored with 2:15 remaining in overtime, and the Pittsburgh Penguins came back from down four to win 5-4 against the Columbus Blue Jackets at PPG Paints Arena on Tuesday.

Crosby, who also had two assists, scored on a one-timer from the right face-off circle set up by Evgeni Malkin on a power play.
"These guys have built an impressive legacy," Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. "So, to draw on those experiences, both the good and the bad, I think can only help us in these situations."

Jason Zucker scored twice, and Malkin had three assists for the Penguins (32-22-9), who have won five of six. Casey DeSmith made 15 saves after replacing Tristan Jarry, who allowed four goals on 12 shots in the first 22:37.
Pittsburgh holds the second wild card into the Stanley Cup Playoffs from the Eastern Conference, three points ahead of the Florida Panthers. The Penguins remained one point behind the New York Islanders, who won 3-2 against the Buffalo Sabres on Tuesday.
Liam Foudy and Emil Bemstrom each had a goal and an assist for the Blue Jackets (20-37-7), who have lost three straight. Elvis Merzlikins made seven saves in the first period before leaving with an illness; Michael Hutchinson allowed five goals on 40 shots.
"Proud of our guys," Columbus coach Brad Larsen said. "It got to 4-4 and it could've gotten way out of hand. We pushed right back. We were right there. … There is no negative in that game for me at all. I'm disappointed for the group. It's not a negative."
Zucker cut it to 4-1 on a backhand near the right post at 10:23 of the second period.
The Penguins scored three goals in 3:38 to tie it early in the third period.

Jake Guentzel pulled the Penguins to 4-2 on a wrist shot five-hole from the right face-off circle 21 seconds into the third.
Zucker scored again by finishing a pass from Malkin with a wrist shot to make it 4-3 at 3:16 for his sixth goal in five games.
"We'll take those two points," Zucker said. "But obviously, we know it wasn't the most ideal game for us."
Danton Heinen tied it 4-4 at 3:59, tapping in a pass from Rickard Rakell at the top of the crease.
"They just kept coming at us," Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine said. "We were kind of scared to play, make plays that were there. At the end of the day, just have to find a way to win these games."
Pittsburgh outshot Columbus 40-17 after the first period.
"Tons of time left, we know we have the firepower to score," DeSmith said. "The crowd backed us the whole way. It was really loud there, maybe the loudest of the season."
Bemstrom gave the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead on a power play at 4:02 of the first period. Cole Sillinger passed to the left circle, where Bemstrom dropped to one knee for a one-timer to end a 27-game goal drought.

Lane Pederson made it 2-0 at 7:54, cleaning up a rebound with a wrist shot from the slot after Foudy's pass hit Pittsburgh defenseman Dmitry Kulikov and went onto Jarry.
Laine extended the lead to 3-0 at 10:11, taking a backhand pass from Jack Roslovic for a wrist shot from the slot.
Foudy scored on a snap shot from the left circle, making it 4-0 and chasing Jarry at 2:37 of the second.
"I feel like we played a pretty complete game other than the eight minutes at the start of the third, they came pretty hard," Foudy said. "Just play a full game, especially when you're playing against a team going for a deep playoff run. All the points matter for them."
NOTES: Crosby is second in NHL history with 20 overtime goals, behind Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin (25). … The Penguins are the third team to win after trailing by four goals this season, joining the Detroit Red Wings (5-4 in overtime against Pittsburgh on Dec. 28) and the Vancouver Canucks (7-6 in overtime against the Montreal Canadiens on Dec. 5). … Hutchinson has replaced Merzlikins in each of the past two games, making 15 saves on 16 shots in a 5-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. He was acquired on Thursday in a trade that sent goalie Jonathan Quick to the Vegas Golden Knights. ... Pittsburgh dressed 11 forwards and seven defensemen with forwards Bryan Rust and Mikael Granlund unavailable. Rust did not play for personal reasons; Granlund was out with an illness. … Kulikov had two shots on goal and one hit in 15:30 of ice time during his Penguins debut. He was acquired in a trade from the Anaheim Ducks on Friday.