Sheahan powers Pittsburgh

PENGUINS 5 BLUE JACKETS 2

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Pittsburgh Penguins won without goals from Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin or their other three top scorers. Instead, they created opportunities for some guys who are usually in the background. Thirdline center Riley Sheahan scored twice in the first period and the Pittsburgh went on to beat the Blue Jackets 5-2 on Sunday. Their fifth straight win moved the Penguins past Washington into first in the Metropolitan Division.

Rookie Tristan Jarry, who was in for starter Matt Murray on second leg of a back-to-back, had 35 saves for Pittsburgh. It was Jarry’s first NHL action in a month after going 3-0 in three starts for WilkesBarre/Scranton in the AHL. Sheahan’s goals were his seventh and eighth of the season. Defenseman Brian Dumoulin and rookie winger Zach Aston-Reese each picked up their fourth. Sheahan’s linemate Jake Guentzel picked up his 19th in the third period.

“We’ve liked that line,” Pittsburgh coach Mike Sullivan said about the Guentzel-Sheahan-Phil Kessel grouping. “That line has the ability to generate offense with those three. Riley brings such a conscientious two-way game to the other two guys. It creates the balance, not only on the line but on the team.”

Pittsburgh, playing its third game in four days, was outshot 37-23.

“We’ve got some secondary guys who can contribute, too,” Sheahan said. “When you can have that depth and capitalize on maybe not as many shots, it’s dangerous.”