Gustav Nyquist #14 (L) of the Columbus Blue Jackets shields the puck from Zach Aston-Reese #46 of the Pittsburgh Penguins during the third period of a game on November 29, 2019 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A. /VCG Photo
Gustav Nyquist scored three times to help the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 on Friday night.
Nick Foligno had two goals for the Blue Jackets, who won for the fifth time in seven games. Joonas Korpisalo had 29 saves, making several good stops with Pittsburgh pressing in the third period.
"I think the biggest improvement we made as a team tonight is we made some plays," Columbus coach John Tortorella said. "We didn't ice pucks. We weren't flipping pucks all night long. We were in position for our D to make more plays. It's something that was a major weakness in our last game."
Dean Kukan #46 (L) and goaltender Joonas Korpisalo #70 (R) of the Columbus Blue Jackets scuffle with Patric Hornqvist #72 (C) of the Pittsburgh Penguins following a whistle during the second period of a game on November 29, 2019 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A. /VCG Photo
Tortorella said the Blue Jackets "dumbed themselves into a loss" Wednesday against the Flyers, making sloppy plays and taking too many penalties in a 3-2 loss.
It was a different story in this one.
"I love the way we played tonight," Foligno said. "We all answered and thought about what happened last game and we wanted to rectify individually as a player. Every guy stepped up his game tonight."
It was Nyquist's second career hat trick. It was the first hat trick for Columbus since Boone Jenner scored three times in a 7-4 victory over Boston on March 12.
Jake Guentzel had a goal and assist for Pittsburgh, which had won three in a row. Kris Letang also scored, Evgeni Malkin added two assists and Tristan Jarry had 25 saves.
Kris Letang #58 of the Pittsburgh Penguins high-fives his teammates after scoring a goal during the third period of a game against the Columbus Blue Jackets on November 29, 2019 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A. /VCG Photo
"I just don't think we played well enough tonight to win," Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said. "It's as simple as that."
The Blue Jackets grabbed control with three unanswered goals in the second period.
Foligno gave Columbus the lead just 26 seconds into the second. He poke-checked Malkin trying to skate out of his zone with the puck, and then skated in alone before beating Jarry with a quick shot.
Nick Foligno #71 (C) of the Columbus Blue Jackets celebrates his second period goal with his teammates during a game against the Pittsburgh Penguins on November 29, 2019 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, U.S.A. /VCG Photo
Nyquist then made it 3-1 with his sixth of the season at 2:52. He sent a backhand through traffic for a power-play goal.
Pittsburgh started to pick up its play later in the period, but Columbus got another power play when Guentzel was sent off for hooking. Foligno converted a shot from inside the right circle for a 4-1 lead at 15:09.
The Penguins got one back when Letang drove a slap shot by Korpisalo 5:20 in the third. They continued to pressure the Blue Jackets, generating two more power-play chances, but Korpisalo helped hold them off.
Nyquist then outraced Letang to score into an empty net at 19:01, giving Columbus a 5-2 lead.
"As of late I think we've played some good hockey," Tortorella said.
Other games on Friday included (home teams in bold):
Boston Bruins 3-2 New York Rangers
Anaheim Ducks 0-3 Winnipeg Jets
Buffalo Sabres 6-4 Toronto Maple Leafs
San Jose Sharks 4-1 Los Angeles Kings
Vegas Golden Knights 2-1 Arizona Coyotes
Carolina Hurricanes 0-3 Nashville Predators
Minnesota Wild 7-2 Ottawa Senators
Chicago Blackhawks 2-5 Colorado Avalanche
Philadelphia Flyers 6-1 Detroit Red Wings
Washington Capitals 4-3 Tampa Bay Lightning
Dallas Stars 1-3 St. Louis Blues