Johnson Led Blue Jackets Past Penguins in Shootout
Kent Johnson secured the winning goal as the Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Hockey
Kent Johnson scored the decisive goal in a shootout to give the Columbus Blue Jackets a 3-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. Goaltender Cam Talbot anchored the defensive effort by stopping all three of Pittsburgh's shootout attempts.
Why it matters
The victory highlights the offensive contributions from players like Damon Severson and Mathieu Olivier in a closely contested game. Meanwhile, the loss marks the third consecutive defeat for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
The Blue Jackets outshot the Penguins 45-22 and maintained a 66.7% faceoff win rate. Cam Talbot denied three shootout attempts, while Sergei Murashov recorded 43 saves during regulation and overtime.
The players
Kent Johnson
He is a professional hockey player for the Columbus Blue Jackets who secured the winning shootout goal in this contest.
Cam Talbot
He is a goaltender for the Columbus Blue Jackets who made 20 saves and successfully blocked three shootout attempts in this game.
Sergei Murashov
He is the goaltender for the Pittsburgh Penguins who stopped 43 shots during the game against Columbus.
Damon Severson
He is a defenseman for the Columbus Blue Jackets who recorded one goal and one assist in the team victory.
Evgeni Malkin
He is a veteran center for the Pittsburgh Penguins who scored one goal for his team during the game.
The details
Kent Johnson secured the win by beating Sergei Murashov with a snap shot during the shootout. Earlier in the match, Damon Severson and Mathieu Olivier provided the regulation goals for Columbus, supported by two assists from Cole Sillinger.
Timeline
The Blue Jackets defeated the Penguins on October 9, 2026.
The Penguins face the Dallas Stars on October 10, 2026.
The Blue Jackets face the St. Louis Blues on October 10, 2026.
Season Trajectory
The win provides the Blue Jackets with necessary momentum as they navigate the competitive early portion of the 2026 NHL season. Conversely, the result deepens the losing streak for Pittsburgh as they look to regain form in their upcoming matchups.
The victory improves the Blue Jackets record while extending the Pittsburgh Penguins current losing streak to three games. Columbus benefited from a 45-22 total shots ratio, highlighting their offensive pressure during the game.
The takeaway
The Blue Jackets succeeded by maintaining consistent shot pressure throughout the evening. Fans looking for team progress should monitor how the defensive core manages heavy shot volumes in upcoming away games.
What happens next
The Pittsburgh Penguins host the Dallas Stars on October 10, 2026. The Columbus Blue Jackets travel to face the St. Louis Blues on October 10, 2026.
Further reading
For more coverage on the team, visit the Hockey section.
