Crosby scores hat trick, Penguins defeat Blue Jackets

COLUMBUS-- Sidney Crosby scored his 12th NHL hat trick for the Pittsburgh Penguins in a 5-2 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on Friday.

Brian Dumoulin had a goal and two assists, and Mike Matheson scored and had an assist for the Penguins (25-10-5), who have won four in a row and eight of 10 since returning to play Jan. 2.
"It's been good to get the rhythm and timing and just getting games," Crosby said. "We haven't had those breaks in bunches, which is nice."
Matheson made it 3-2 at 5:35 of the third period, and Crosby's second goal of the game came on a 5-on-3 at 13:32 to make it 4-2. The center scored into an empty net at 18:02 for the 5-2 final.

Casey DeSmith made 10 saves on 12 shots in the first period before being replaced to start the second by Tristan Jarry, who made 15 saves.
Joonas Korpisalo made 26 saves for the Blue Jackets (18-19-1), who defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 on Thursday.
"No matter how tough it is, you've just got to find a way," Columbus forward Sean Kuraly said. "Five things, almost, happened in that third period, big events, and every single one was a dagger for us."
Dumoulin scored from high in the left circle off a pass from Crosby 32 seconds into the first period to give Pittsburgh a 1-0 lead. Kris Letang had an assist to extend his NHL career-long point streak to 10 games, the longest active streak in the NHL.
Gustav Nyquist made it 1-1 at 10:40 on his NHL-leading fourth shorthanded goal. He broke down the left wing and whiffed on his initial shot, which fooled DeSmith. As Nyquist neared goal line, he shot under the goalie's right arm to the far corner.
Boone Jenner gave Columbus a 2-1 lead at 18:46. He took a carom off the end boards and shot between DeSmith's pads.
Crosby tied it 2-2 with 29 seconds left, redirecting a shot by Bryan Rust.
Pittsburgh has won 15 of 17 since Dec. 4.
"We've shown an ability to play the game a certain way that that gives us the best chance to win, and it starts with an attitude," Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. "And then it's a commitment to play the game the right way. And then it's attention to detail and knowing what your job is and trusting that your linemate or your teammate is going to do theirs."
Matheson scored with a shot from the blue line that Korpisalo got a piece of, but the puck trickled behind him before Nyquist was able to pull it back across the goal line.

With the Penguins leading 3-2, a possible tying goal by Max Domi at 10:39 of the third period was overturned on a successful challenge by Pittsburgh that Emil Bemstrom was offside.
"We played a heck of a game. I have no issue with our effort," Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen said. "We go offside, incredible to me, bump the goalie, shoot over the glass, 5-on-3 they score.
"Emotion is a great thing. We have to be really careful in those moments. We were one shot away from tying it. We were in it. Then we implode."
NOTES: It was Crosby's first hat trick since Nov. 28, 2018 against the Colorado Avalanche. He has three in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. He has scored seven points (five goals, two assists) in a four-game point streak. ... Letang has scored 15 points (two goals, 13 assists) during his streak. ... Penguins forward Jake Guentzel had an assist and has scored five points (three goals, two assists) during a four-game point streak. ... Nyquist is one shorthanded goal from the Blue Jackets season record (Rick Nash in 2008-09). ... Penguins forward Zach Aston-Reese returned after missing five games while in NHL COVID-19 protocol. He played 8:57 and had two hits and one blocked shot. ... The Blue Jackets have not won back-to-back games since winning three straight from Nov. 22-26.