Penguins forward Samuel Poulin progressing at center

The Penguins needed to stage a comeback on Sunday to claim a 3-2 overtime home win against the Columbus Blue Jackets at PPG Paints Arena to open their preseason.

While forward Jason Zucker’s overtime goal got the most attention, it would not have been possible without the efforts of a line of mostly prospects that forced a 2-2 tie in the last minute of regulation at 19:05 of the third period.

With goaltender Filip Lindberg pulled in favor of an extra attacker, forward Valtteri Puustinen fed a pass from the left wing of the offensive zone to linemate Sam Poulin behind the cage. Surveying his options, Poulin slipped the puck to the right of the crease where forward Corey Andonovski roofed an impressive wrister over the left shoulder of goaltender Nolan Lalonde on the near side.

“I like to go to that spot, especially on the power play,” Poulin said. “That was a little bit different, six-on-five, but it’s like the same thing. I like to sneak around the back of the net. I found (Andonovski) next to the goalie. I just passed it and he scored right away.”

Poulin, the Penguins’ first-round pick (No. 21 overall) in 2019, served as the center of that line on Sunday. Drafted as a right winger, Poulin has transitioned to center since turning professional last season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League (AHL)

“Sam did a great job working on his game,” said Penguins assistant coach Mike Vellucci, who oversees the team’s forwards. “He’s got that great down-low game. He protects the puck really well. You saw on that tying goal, he protected it well and made a nice pass. (Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins’ coaches have) done a great job down there developing him. He’s really improved. I love what I see from him so far this year.”

Defenseman Jon Lizotte, signed to an AHL contract, scored the Penguins’ first goal during the second period. The Blue Jackets’ goals were scored by former Penguins forward James Neal – who is attending training camp on a professional tryout contract – and defenseman Nick Blankenburg.

Penguins goaltender Filip Lindberg recorded the victory by making 13 saves on 14 shots. Casey DeSmith started the game for the Penguins, stopping 12 of 13 shots before being replaced by Lindberg, as planned, at 11:05 of the second period.

Scary injury

Blue Jackets defenseman Ben Harpur left the game at 1:56 of the third period after being injured in a fight with Penguins forward Jamie Devane.

The two dropped the gloves in Columbus’ zone and Devane, also signed to an AHL contract, dropped Harpur, also signed to a PTO contract, with a right punch. Harpur fell immediately and was attended to by medical staffers from both clubs. Eventually, he made his way to the dressing room, albeit with assistance from teammates. Play was halted for several minutes for Harpur’s wellbeing as well as to allow arena staffers to clean blood off the ice.

The Blue Jackets did not provide a substantive update on Harpur’s status following the game.

Penguins drop second game

Forward Jordan Frasca accounted for the Penguins’ only goal in a 5-1 loss to the Blue Jackets at Columbus’ Nationwide Arena in the second half of the split-squad games on Sunday.

Goaltender Dustin Tokarski absorbed the loss after making 25 saves on 30 shots.

Forwards Jordan Danforuth (twice), Patrik Laine, Jakub Voracek and Gustav Nyquist scored for the Blue Jackets.

No update on Carter

Vellucci, who served as head coach for the first game given the logistical issues of the nature of Sunday’s games, did not provide an update on injured Penguins forward Jeff Carter. On Saturday, during an intra-squad scrimmage in Cranberry, Carter left the ice with an undisclosed ailment.