Sergei Murashov lifts Penguins to point in Columbus before Blue Jackets win in shootout

King Jemison, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Oct 9, 2026

Published in Hockey

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Penguins didn’t deserve a point Friday. Sergei Murashov helped them get one anyway.

But the Columbus Blue Jackets made sure it wasn’t two.

The Blue Jackets beat the Penguins, 3-2, in a shootout at Nationwide Arena. Murashov made 43 saves on 45 shots, and the rookie goalie stopped two of three Columbus shootout attempts. Pittsburgh’s three shooters were all stopped as they dropped their third straight game.

After consecutive losses this week, the Penguins’ ugly form continued in the first period Friday. It took them nearly 10 minutes to record a shot on goal, despite getting two power plays in that stretch.

And Damon Severson gave the Blue Jackets a lead they deserved about 11 minutes into the game, finishing a one-timer off a beautiful backdoor pass from reigning Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski. Severson ended up wide open amid a Penguins miscommunication.

Columbus kept Pittsburgh trapped in its own zone for much of the second period. They took 17 of the first 20 shots in the second. Murashov held the lead at one for nearly 12 minutes of the frame before Mathieu Olivier extended the advantage with a shot that deflected off the post, Murashov’s skate and in.

To that point, the Penguins were putting forth by far their worst effort of the season.

Then Bryan Rust created a goal out of nowhere. He took a feed from Sam Girard, drove down the wing and pulled off the patented “Rusty” for his second goal in as many games.

That didn’t suddenly stem the tidal wave of momentum in the Blue Jackets’ favor. But it did cut the deficit to 2-1 entering the second intermission after Columbus outshot Pittsburgh 23-7 in the period.

But the Penguins found life early in the third period. Evgeni Malkin located the rebound of an Erik Karlsson shot and knocked it in to tie the score at 2 about three minutes into the final frame. It was Malkin’s third goal of the season.

Pittsburgh continued to create chances in the third period. Ben Kindel and Egor Chinakhov were particularly active. But they couldn’t beat Cam Talbot.

Murashov had 40 saves on 42 shots in regulation.

Sidney Crosby had a golden chance to end it in overtime, but Talbot made the save. Murashov then stopped a 2-on-0 going the other way.

Murashov stopped Werenski right in front of the crease with less than 20 seconds remaining.

Kindel set up Blake Lizotte for a look at the horn, but Talbot got just enough to turn it aside.

Around the boards

— The Penguins placed defenseman Ilya Solovyov on waivers Friday. That will allow winger Andrei Kuzmenko to come off the non-roster list, although Kuzmenko didn’t suit up in Columbus.

— Defenseman Spencer Stastney joined the Penguins for their morning skate Friday after they acquired him in a trade with the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday. Stastney did not play against the Blue Jackets.

Up next

The Penguins head home for the second night of a back-to-back Saturday against the Dallas Stars. The game will pit Pittsburgh winger Nick Robertson against his brother, Jason, one of the NHL’s top goal-scorers.