Kent Johnson’s shootout goal lifts Blue Jackets to 3-2 win over Penguins

The Columbus Blue Jackets edged the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 on Friday night in a shootout decided by one goal, with Kent Johnson scoring the only attempt that mattered. The win gave Columbus the extra point that comes from being perfect when the game’s scoring tightened to a one-shot test after regulation ended in a tie.

Johnson’s finish came after both teams worked through a regulation that was close enough to keep each side within reach. When the contest moved to the skills competition, Columbus needed one conversion and Johnson delivered it, turning a deadlock into a final margin that showed up only after the last stick tapped.

Damon Severson added offense for the Blue Jackets in the main body of the game, recording both a goal and an assist. His two-point night helped Columbus stay attached to the Penguins throughout, especially with the game ultimately requiring a tiebreaker to separate the teams.

For the Penguins, the 2-2 regulation outcome meant they had chances to swing the game before the shootout, but they came up short when the final round demanded accuracy rather than sustained zone time. Pittsburgh’s inability to solve Columbus in the shootout left the final result as a one-team advantage at the end of a night defined by balance.

The shootout also underscored how a tight early-season stretch can hinge on execution details, not just territory or pressure. When games reach the extra period format, goaltending matchups, shot selection, and nerve often matter as much as the skaters’ ability to generate chances throughout the flow of play.

For Columbus, the immediate takeaway is that the team can win in multiple ways, including by getting key production from players like Severson and a timely, game-breaking moment from Johnson. For Pittsburgh, the message is more about closing out one more decisive moment before the shootout, since the skills event created a scenario where a single successful attempt could decide everything.

What to watch next is whether this win reflects a repeatable identity for Columbus at both ends of the ice, or whether it was a high-leverage outcome concentrated in the final minutes and the shootout. Against a division opponent, the ability to carry momentum from a close, pressure-filled game can be the difference between a competitive start and a season that swings wildly from week to week.