Jackets, Wild In Danger of Sweep

Markus Nutivaara, William Karlsson and Boone Jenner each had a goal and an assist and the Columbus Blue Jackets held on to beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-4 on Tuesday, avoiding a sweep in the best-of-seven playoff series. But as much as they would like a sweep, the Penguins know it's risky to bring out the brooms too early.

Crosby: "I think you kind of go about it the same as you normally would". We know they're a feisty team, they're playing on home ice, they'll have energy from the crowd.

The Pittsburgh Penguins played an impressive game three on Sunday, coming back from a 3-1 deficit to eventually win the game in overtime with a score of 5-4.

Columbus Blue Jackets' Sergei Bobrovsky, left, of Russian Federation, makes a save against Pittsburgh Penguins' Patric Hornqvist, bottom right, of Sweden, as Nick Bonino, top right, and Jack Johnson fight for position during the first perio. "We haven't accomplished anything to this point", Sullivan said. "But we got through it". We can't live in the future. But when Crosby spun left to get away from Savard, the defenseman didn't follow, instead staying to the right of the goal.

The Blue Jackets never gained possession, but there is some gray area.

Things have been much better on the offensive side of things in Columbus' last two matchups with Pittsburgh.

The Blue Jackets come out with plenty of energy but seem to falter towards the end of the game. "It's just do or die right now". "In these one-goal hockey games, we have to stick one in the net".

Daley: "We've been in this situation before". They want to go after us with a lot of hits and get their forecheck going. "We've got a chance to just go out there and try to make a series of this". To be fair, the Columbus Blue Jackets, Sergei Bobrovsky in particular, were practically stealing money given how they conducted themselves for the first three games of the series.

"It's the stomping on the throat, as graphic as that may sound, to finish the game", Foligno said. "We have to be aware when they're forechecking, but it's been a really fair series".

John Gibson gave up four goals on 16 shots before he was replaced by Jonathan Bernier in the second period. The loss drops Fleury's record to 3-1 this postseason. Edmonton Oilers goalie Cam Talbot (33) lays out to stop a shot next to San Jose Sharks center Tomas Hertl, top, and Oilers' Mark Letestu (55) during the second period in Game 3 of a first-round NHL hockey playoff series.

The 19-year-old returned to the game briefly in the third period with a face shield, but his comeback didn't last long. He let in multiple soft goals again, something that has been a theme for him this series, as well as his entire playoff career.

Before Tuesday's 5-4 win over the Penguins, Tortorella said he wanted the young team to experience a playoff victory, lousy music and all.

"We know we're in a hole", Tortorella said.

Bad breaks or not, the Penguins just didn't look like they were ready to play in the first six minutes and fell behind 3-1. I don't think the stage is too big for him. The whole thing reeks of click bait - maybe the Dispatch thought it would boost their sales and bring them some publicity ... which, in a way worked, I guess, but not the way they probably wanted it to.