COLUMBUS — The Blue Jackets did not give Pittsburgh much room Thursday night, and Cam Talbot did not give the Penguins anything at all. Talbot stopped 15 shots, Valeri Nichushkin scored in his Columbus debut and Columbus earned a 4-0 preseason victory at Nationwide Arena.
The Jackets needed less than 12 minutes to get the lead. Zach Werenski sent a point shot through traffic at 11:48 of the first period, with Charlie Elick and Dmitri Voronkov earning the assists. It was Werenski’s first goal of the preseason, and the early advantage suited a game with little open ice and only 32 combined shots.
Nichushkin provided the most encouraging moment in the second period. The veteran forward, acquired from Colorado in June, took a pass from Voronkov and scored on a backhand rush at 14:42. Danton Heinen made it 3-0 with 15 seconds left in the period, following his own rebound after Charlie Coyle set up the chance.
Pittsburgh generated its best pressure in the third, but Talbot turned away Rutger McGroarty, Ville Koivunen and Avery Hayes during the final five minutes. With Penguins goalie Sergei Murashov pulled, Kirill Marchenko hit the empty net at 17:28 from Cole Sillinger and Kent Johnson.
Talbot’s shutout capped an efficient performance by Columbus. The Blue Jackets won 63.6 percent of the faceoffs, outhit Pittsburgh 27-18 and blocked 13 shots. They also stayed out of penalty trouble; the only infractions were matching first-period roughing minors to Luke Tuch and Hayes. Pittsburgh did not receive a power play.
Voronkov finished with two assists, while Werenski, Nichushkin, Heinen and Marchenko scored once each. Murashov made 13 saves for Pittsburgh, which fell to 1-2-0. Columbus improved to 2-1-0 with one exhibition game remaining.
What’s Next
The Blue Jackets close the preseason Saturday against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena. The game begins at 7 p.m.
