Overtime goal by Jason Zucker leads Penguins past Blue Jackets

Seth Rorabaugh
Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021 9:42 p.m. | Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021 9:42 p.m.

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Penguins defenseman Chad Ruhwedel, bottom left, scores past Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins as defenseman Adam Boqvist looks on during the first period of a preseason game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.

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Penguins forward Brian Boyle (right) reaches for the puck in front of Blue Jackets forward Gustav Nyquist during the first period of a preseason game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.

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Blue Jackets forward Boone Jenner (left) passes the puck in front of Penguins forward Brock McGinn during the first period of a preseason game Saturday, Oct. 9, 2021, in Columbus, Ohio.

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Blue Jackets forward Sean Kuraly scores past Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry during the second period Saturday.

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Penguins defenseman Kris Letang collides with Blue Jackets defenseman Jake Bean (left) and forward Boone Jenner during the second period Saturday.

The Penguins concluded their preseason with a 4-3 overtime win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday at Nationwide Arena.

Forward Jason Zucker scored his first goal of the preseason off a rebound scramble during a power-play sequence at 1 minute, 18 seconds of the extra period.

After Blue Jackets forward Oliver Bjorkstrand’s fifth goal 6:33 into regulation, things were tied 1-1 at 17:05 of the first period. Penguins defenseman Chad Ruhwedel motored up the left wing into the offensive zone, and from the right circle, he lifted a wrister. The puck glanced off Blue Jackets defenseman Adam Boqvist’s stick then clunked off the near post and into the net. It was Ruhwedel’s first goal of the preseason.

Columbus went up 3-1 thanks to goals by forwards Sean Kuraly (his first at 13:25 of the second period) and Max Domi (his first at 2:08 of the third).

The Penguins pulled within one at 10:22 of the third. Off a neutral-zone steal, forward Bryan Rust made a determined rush up the left wing, attacked the net and tucked a forehand shot through goaltender Elvis Merzlikins’ legs for his first goal.

It was tied again 3-3 only 2:15 later. From above the right circle of the offensive zone, forward Teddy Blueger launched a wrister toward the net that appeared to change direction before going in. Blueger was credited with his first goal.

Tristan Jarry made 26 saves on 29 shots in the victory. The Penguins finished the preseason with a 4-2-0 record.