Blue Jackets beat Penguins 4-3 in shootout as Crosby ties game late in Pittsburgh

Game decided after another late Penguins rally

The Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 in a shootout on Saturday night, Jan. 17, 2026, at PPG Paints Arena, extending a recent pattern between the Metropolitan Division rivals: the game was decided after regulation, and Pittsburgh again came up short in the skills competition.

Pittsburgh forced overtime when captain Sidney Crosby redirected a point shot with 1:01 remaining in the third period, tying the game after Columbus had taken a one-goal lead earlier in the period. The rally sent the contest into overtime and eventually to a shootout, where Columbus converted twice and Pittsburgh did not score.

How the scoring unfolded

Columbus built offense from multiple lines, with goals in regulation from Kirill Marchenko, Danton Heinen and Zach Aston-Reese. Two of the Blue Jackets’ goal-scorers—Heinen and Aston-Reese—previously played for Pittsburgh, adding another layer to a game that swung on small moments and late execution.

For Pittsburgh, Crosby recorded a goal and an assist. Connor Clifton and Rickard Rakell also scored in regulation as the Penguins navigated another tight finish that ultimately produced only one point in the standings.

Shootout and goaltending

Columbus won the shootout on goals from Kent Johnson and Charlie Coyle, with Coyle delivering the decisive attempt. Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins finished with 29 saves through overtime and turned aside all Pittsburgh attempts in the shootout.

Pittsburgh goaltender Arturs Silovs stopped 22 shots in regulation and overtime but was beaten once in the shootout. The result marked another close loss for a Penguins team that has struggled to convert overtime opportunities into two points.

Context: a series defined by extra time

The latest meeting reinforced how evenly matched the clubs have been this season. All four games between Pittsburgh and Columbus in the 2025-26 season have been decided past regulation, underscoring how often the margin has narrowed to a single play late in the third period or beyond.

• Final score: Blue Jackets 4, Penguins 3 (SO)
• Date/venue: Jan. 17, 2026 — PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh
• Key late moment: Crosby tied the game with 1:01 left in regulation
• Shootout difference: Columbus scored twice; Pittsburgh was held scoreless

With the clubs repeatedly pushed past 60 minutes this season, the standings impact has hinged on shootout and overtime execution rather than separation at five-on-five.

Both teams now turn to their upcoming schedules with recent results highlighting the same theme: in a division race where points are frequently decided after regulation, finishing ability in overtime and the shootout can quickly reshape the playoff picture.