Fansided

NHL Playoffs 2014, Blue Jackets at Penguins: Penguins win 4-3

By Michael Straw

Apr 16, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing James Neal (left) and left wing Chris Kunitz (middle) react after defenseman Matt Niskanen (2) scored a goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing James Neal (left) and left wing Chris Kunitz (middle) react after defenseman Matt Niskanen (2) scored a goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 16, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing James Neal (left) and left wing Chris Kunitz (middle) react after defenseman Matt Niskanen (2) scored a goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 16, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Penguins left wing James Neal (left) and left wing Chris Kunitz (middle) react after defenseman Matt Niskanen (2) scored a goal against the Columbus Blue Jackets during the second period in game one of the first round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs at the CONSOL Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

The Pittsburgh Penguins are the first team to gain a series lead in the 2014 NHL Playoffs after defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets in game one of their first round best of seven series between division rivals.

Brandon Sutter scored the game-winning goal for the Penguins with 11:42 remaining in the third period.

Columbus had a 3-1 lead early in the second period, but two quick power-play goals within a minute of each other in the second tied the game of for Pittsburgh. Then, it was Sutter’s goal that ultimately became the game-winning goal.

The Blue Jackets scored the first goal of the game just 6:20 into the opening period when a pinching Jack Johnson beat Marc-Andre Fleury to give Columbus its first postseason lead in franchise history. Jussi Jokinen tied it 10 minutes later. A power-play goal by Marc Letestu 40 seconds later gave Columbus the lead back at 2-1.

Derek MacKenzie made it 3-1 just 43 seconds into the second, but Beau Bennett and Matt Niskanen scored for the Penguins.

Fleury made 31 saves while Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 28.

Game two of the series is Saturday in Pittsburgh at 7pm.

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