Penguins Blow Lead, Lose in Shootout to Blue Jackets

Crosby ties game late, but Penguins' shootout woes continue

Apr. 13, 2026 at 6:13am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a hockey game, with overlapping planes of color and shape representing the action on the ice, without any identifiable players or teams.The Penguins' shootout struggles expose the unpredictable nature of the format, as they fight to maintain their position in the playoff race.Today in Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Penguins rallied from an early deficit to force overtime against the Columbus Blue Jackets, but ultimately fell in a shootout. Captain Sidney Crosby scored the game-tying goal late in the third period, but the Penguins' struggles in shootouts continued as they lost 2-1.

Why it matters

The Penguins have mastered the art of dramatic comebacks, but their inability to win in shootouts has been a persistent issue this season. This loss raises questions about their strategy and whether the shootout format is fair for teams like the Penguins.

The details

The Penguins started slowly, falling behind 1-0 to the Blue Jackets. However, they soon found their rhythm, outshooting Columbus significantly in the first period. Crosby's late-game heroics tied the score and sent the game to overtime, where both teams had chances to win. But in the shootout, Penguins goalie Arturs Silovs was unable to stop Charlie Coyle's goal, sealing the win for Columbus.

  • With 1:01 left in the third period, Sidney Crosby scored the game-tying goal.
  • The game went to a shootout after ending regulation tied 1-1.

The players

Sidney Crosby

The captain of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who scored the game-tying goal late in the third period.

Arturs Silovs

The Penguins' goaltender, who struggled in the shootout and was unable to stop the winning goal.

Zach Aston-Reese

A former Penguin who scored the opening goal for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Elvis Merzlikins

The outstanding goaltender for the Columbus Blue Jackets, who made key saves in overtime to preserve the tie.

Charlie Coyle

The Columbus Blue Jackets player who scored the winning goal in the shootout.

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What they’re saying

“We've got to find a way to win those shootouts. It's been a struggle all season, and it's costing us points.”

— Sidney Crosby, Captain, Pittsburgh Penguins

What’s next

The Penguins will have a chance to bounce back when they face the New York Rangers on Saturday. The team will need to address their shootout woes if they want to maintain their position in the playoff race.

The takeaway

The Penguins' inability to win in shootouts has been a persistent issue this season, raising questions about their strategy and the fairness of the shootout format. While they've shown their ability to mount dramatic comebacks, their shootout struggles continue to cost them valuable points in the standings.