Game 2: The Blue Jackets Look to Bounce Back and Even the Series with Pittsburgh

Game 1 didn't go the Jackets' way, but in 2014, Columbus responded to an opening loss with the team's first-ever playoff win. The Blue Jackets will try to repeat history – maybe even in regulation this time – with Game 2 in the Steel City.

Columbus Blue Jackets at Pittsburgh Penguins 7 p.m., PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh TV: NHL Network, FSO

THE STORYLINE

Any concerns over whether Columbus was ready for the playoffs were answered in the first 20 minutes of play in Game 1. The Jackets outshot the Penguins 16-4 and were it not for a standout performance by surprise starter Marc-Andre Fleury would have held the lead after a period.

Of course, they did not lead, and 0-0 was soon 3-0 thanks to a Pittsburgh blitz early in the second period. By the time Game 1 was over, Columbus faced a 3-1 defeat and the third opening loss in as many playoff series in franchise history.

Still, head coach John Tortorella wasn't ready to sound any alarms after judging the team's play on the tape.

"We were ready to play," he said Thursday. "I thought we handled ourselves very well. Some guys haven't been in it, some guys have. It was a great building to play in. I thought we handled ourselves very well. We were not a nervous team. Do we need to be a better team? Yeah, we do in certain situations, but I coach the team on how we play. We had some good minutes in there."

Good minutes are good, but winning is better, and the reality is Columbus was on the short end of the stick. For many, the biggest culprit was the offense, which faced the Penguins' backup goalie yet still mustered a single goal against a team allowing 2.79 per game this season, 17th in the league.

But the Blue Jackets go into Game 2 still feeling confident in the team's ability to get the job done.

"We're still a very confident team," forward Cam Atkinson said. "We're not panicking at all. It was good to get the first one out of the way and realize what we should do differently. We're still ready to go. Guys aren't gripping their stick tight. We had a good practice today and were moving the puck around pretty well."

3 KEYS TO GAME 2

Get to the blue paint: Much of the talk after Game 1 was that Columbus wasn't threatening enough in the offensive zone. Pittsburgh played a good team defensive game in front of surprise starter Fleury, but the Jackets must power through.

Get a lead: Can Columbus come from behind to win? Of course. The Jackets showed that in battling back from a 2-0 deficit in Game 2 in 2014. But the team has trailed often during its recent skid, rarely having the chance to play with the lead. Getting in front early would do wonders right now.

Keep the chances low: Tortorella was proud of his team defensively after Game 1 given how it kept Pittsburgh from getting a ton of chances, but the Pens still cashed in on three. Limiting offensive opportunities always remains a focus against the talented Penguins.

YOU OUGHTA KNOW

Columbus: Zach Werenski had as good a playoff debut as one possibly could have thought for a teenage defenseman in the Stanley Cup playoffs, attempting 12 shots and having six end up on goal. Tortorella said Werenski "put on a show" and it was clear the blueliner was doing all he could to create offense for the Jackets. He provides a unique tool for a Columbus team looking to manufacture the offense that has been missing of late.  

Pittsburgh: Bryan Rust isn't an elite scorer. You won't see the 24-year-old Notre Dame product pitching in on the power play or drawing the attention of guys named Crosby, Malkin or Kessel. But he's been a key part of the Pens roster the past two postseasons, scoring six goals on the team's run to the Stanley Cup a season ago and tallying the first goal of the series in Game 1. Rust tends to drive positive possession in whatever role he's in while also chipping in the secondary scoring that's a bonus for the Penguins.

THE SERIES

• Game 1 PIT 3, CBJ 1: Despite a first-period shots blitz, Columbus fell behind 3-0 on the way to losing the opener. Phil Kessel had a goal and an assist for the Pens, while Matt Calvert scored the lone goal for the Jackets in the third.

THIS SEASON

• Dec. 22, 2016 CBJ 7, PIT 1: Scott Hartnell rings up a hat trick as the Blue Jackets explode for seven goals at Nationwide Arena for win 11 in the team's 16-game streak.
• Feb. 3, 2017 PIT 4, CBJ 3 (OT): The first meeting of the campaign in Pittsburgh ended with Phil Kessel's OT winner, but Columbus fought back from a 3-1 deficit in the third to tie it.
• Feb. 17, 2017 CBJ 2, PIT 1 (OT): Dubinsky (who else?) played the hero, sliding into the slot and scoring in OT to delight the Jackets' home crowd.
• April 5, 2017 PIT 4, CBJ 1: Columbus essentially ceded home ice in the first round with this loss as the Penguins never trailed on the way to the victory in the Steel City.

Penguins Projected Lineup

Pittsburgh has three lines who can score plus what has turned into a strong defensive corps despite the injury to Kris Letang. Rust and Daley missed practice on Thursday but head coach Mike Sullivan termed their absences as maintenance days. (Players who scored in Game 1 denoted by an asterisk).

Blue Jackets Projected Lineup

Despite playing each for less than 10 minutes apiece during Game 1, head coach John Tortorella said it is likely that Scott Harrington and Gabriel Carlsson will remain the third defensive pair in Game 2.