The Columbus Blue Jackets defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins to end the near ten year losing streak at PPG Paints Arena by the final score of 4-3 in the shootout.

This was a thriller, but a costly one to the Blue Jackets’ forward group as Sean Monahan did leave the game with a wrist brace. With that, forward Luca Del Bel Belluz (shortened nickname is LDDB) has been recalled from Cleveland (AHL). No timeline has been made publicly at this time. With Adam Fantilli seamlessly sliding into Monahan’s spot mid-game, it is presumed the 20 year old will hold the mantle as the first line center in Columbus for the time being.

Period I

Dmitry Voronkov is swiftly becoming the powerplay merchant on the Blue Jackets’ offense. The Russian winger redirected a Kirill Marchenko shot for his 16th goal of the season resulting from the Erik Karlsson interference call on his former Sharks’ teammate Kevin Labanc. Sean Monahan had the secondary assist.

Voronkov had a final minute hooking minor on Kris Letang.

Period II

Michael Bunting and the Penguins offense evened the scoring within the first minute of this period. Pittsburgh’s tying goal was Bunting’s 13th of the year and 6th in his last 7 games. Sidney Crosby, notably my first round selection in my fantasy draft, had the primary assist. Karlsson had the secondary helpers.

Period III

Rickard Rakell and the Penguins got their first lead of the game in the opening minute. The winger’s 19th of the season was assisted by Karlsson and Matt Grzelyck.

Rakell extended the home team’s lead and goal scoring production with his second of the game and 20th of the year from Crosby.

Voronkov cut the two goal lead in half with his second of the game and 17th of the evening. His ninth goal in previous seven games, he is now one goal from tying his rookie season stat. His shot was assisted by Marchenko and Fantilli.

Adam Fantilli evened the scoring for the third time of the night with his powerplay goal caused by the Blake Lizotte slash. Fantilli’s ninth of the campaign and second in his second straight game was asssited by Kent Johnson and Zach Werenski.

Overtime

Three shots occurred between the two clubs fighting for the extra points in the standings. Nothing came from the five minutes of extra time.

Shootout

Kent Johnson is credited with the winner, earning the road team the extra point. At the time of writing, the Jackets now sit in the second wild card spot as Ottawa suffered an overtime loss to Detroit; and Montreal did not play.

Goaltenders

Tristan Jarry

Elvis Merzlikins backstopped the Blue Jackets to snap the losing streak in Pittsburgh. Merzlikins saved 20 of 23 shots for a 0.870 save percentage; and disallowed both Pittsburgh’s attempts in the shootout.

Players to Watch 🇷🇺

Pittsburgh — Evgeni Malkin was pulled last minute and missed his first game of the year.

Columbus — Dmitry Voronkov had two goals, including the opening power play goal and the late third period goal. The Russian left winger has 9 goals in 7 games dating back to December 23.

CBJ Three Stars of the Game
1. Dmitry Voronkov — 2 goals (17)
2. Sean Monahan — assist (27)
3. Adam Fantilli — PPG (9)

Next Game

Back at home, the Jackets’ final matchup with the Seattle Kraken of the season in what is anticipated to be the NHL season debut of Luca Del Bel Belluz.

AHL All Stars Named ✨

The Cleveland Mosnters, the affiliate of the Columbus Blue Jackets, have three skaters named to the 2025 AHL All Stars weekend in Coachella Valley, California at the home of the back to back Western Conference Finals, the Coachella Valley Firebirds.

C Luca Del Bel Belluz (LDDB) — 17 goals, 20 assists, 37 points in 34 games this season. The second round draft pick from 2022 has taken the league by storm this year, and gets his second career NHL game coming up.

RW Trey Fix-Wolansky (TFW) — 14 goals, 18 assists, for 32 points in 29 games this season with the Monsters. The seventh round pick from 2018 has 26 career NHL games.

D Denton Mateychuk — 9 goals, 16 assists, 25 points in 27 games this season. The second 1st round draft selection (12th overall) from the 2022 NHL draft made his debut earlier this season.

Congratulations and kudos to all three gentlemen on being named AHL All Stars.

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