In the end, the more desperate team came out on top.
The Blue Jackets and Penguins had not met since Dec. 21 at CONSOL Energy Center, and certain events of that game did not sit well with either team. Fast forward 10 weeks and the two teams are in different positions, but it’s never difficult to get up for a game against one of your division rivals.
Columbus scored first but gave up three second-period goals which proved to be the difference in a physical, sometimes nasty, and very competitive 3-2 battle in front of a sold-out crowd at Nationwide Arena on Friday night.