COLUMBUS, Ohio — Gustav Nyquist scored three times to help the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2 on Friday night.
Nick Foligno had two goals for the Blue Jackets, who won for the fifth time in seven games. Joonas Korpisalo had 29 saves, making several good stops with Pittsburgh pressing in the third period.
It was Nyquist’s second career hat trick. It was the first hat trick for Columbus since Boone Jenner scored three times in a 7-4 victory over Boston on March 12.
Jake Guentzel had a goal and assist for Pittsburgh, which had won three in a row. Kris Letang also scored, Evgeni Malkin added two assists and Tristan Jarry had 25 saves.
The Blue Jackets grabbed control with three unanswered goals in the second period.
Foligno gave Columbus the lead just 26 seconds into the second. He poke-checked Malkin trying to skate out of his zone with the puck, and then skated in alone before beating Jarry with a quick shot.
Nyquist then made it 3-1 with his sixth of the season at 2:52. He sent a backhand through traffic for a power-play goal.
Pittsburgh started to pick up its play later in the period, but Columbus got another power play when Guentzel was sent off for hooking. Foligno converted a shot from inside the right circle for a 4-1 lead at 15:09.
Robert Denhard, The Associated Press