* Going into their back-to-back games over the weekend, Riley Sheahan was saying it would be huge for them to be prepared for their opponents. You could sense the readiness in the Penguins tonight. They knew they were playing a Blue Jackets team fighting for their playoff life, and they did everything they could to keep them from getting much life in this game. While it was closer than the score indicated, overall, it was still just a good solid effort from the Pens. And now, they head into their four-day break in first place in the Metro Division.
* Speaking of Sheahan, he scored twice to give him four goals in his last six games - and nearly got a third during a Pens penalty kill in the second period. His line set the tone early, as both tallies came in the first period. It's been fun watching a different line step up every night. On Saturday against Toronto it was the trio of Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust and Carl Hagelin. Tonight, it was Sheahan, Jake Guentzel (one goal, two assists) and Phil Kessel who really starred for the Pens.
* Someone else who's finding the back of the net a lot right now is rookie Zach Aston-Reese, who got his fourth goal in as many games. The kid just has a nose for the net and knows how to work those tight areas. On his goal tonight, he picked up a rebound off a shot from Matt Hunwick, turned and buried it before Sergei Bobrovsky could move.
* Before the game Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella was adamant that his team had to stay out of the box if they wanted to have a chance against the Pens, who scored two power-play goals in both of their previous wins over Columbus this season. His players listened, as they weren't whistled for any penalties. But it still wasn't enough to beat Pittsburgh.
* Overall, I thought the Pens defensemen did a good job of breaking out and then getting involved offensively. It started with taking care of their own end first, and then transitioning up the ice with numbers - overwhelming the Blue Jackets - and making clean entries at the other end. Once there, the forwards did a good job of getting it back to them and they didn't hesitate to put the puck on net. The Pens got three goals as a result, and five out of six defensemen got at least a point.
* Tonight marked Tristan Jarry's first NHL game action in exactly one month, with his last appearance coming Jan. 17 at Anaheim. He went 3-0 in a trio of starts with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton before getting called up on Feb. 6 and hasn't played since then. Despite having some nerves, he showed zero signs of rust and played a really, really strong game as the Pens were outshot 37-23. His 35 saves set a new career high. Mike Sullivan said beforehand they trusted him to make the timely saves, and he did that all night - especially on Columbus' two power plays.
