Blue Jackets, Wild facing 3-0 holes

The Blue Jackets scored more goals in the first six minutes of Sunday’s game than in their first two playoff games combined. That still wasn’t enough to slow down the Penguins, who dealt the Blue Jackets a third straight playoff loss and put them on the brink of elimination.

Now the Blue Jackets, whose best season in franchise history included a 16-game winning streak, will try to get a win at home Tuesday night to avoid being swept out of the firstround series by the defending Stanley Cup champions.

An overtime goal by 22year-old rookie Jake Guentzel — set up by some deft puck-handling behind the net by Sidney Crosby — was the latest dagger. Guentzel had a hat trick in the 5-4 win Sunday.

The Blue Jackets aren’t the only team in trouble. The Wild, who had a 12game winning streak this season, are down 0-3 to the Blues.

The Wild’s struggles are even more perplexing. The Wild have outshot the Blues 117-79, killed off eight of nine power plays but have never led. Game 4 is Wednesday in St. Louis.

The Blue Jackets outshot the Penguins in their first two playoff games, and they had chances to win all three. Veteran goaltender MarcAndre Fleury, replacing injured starter Matt Murray, has been sharp for the Penguins and made a critical mask save of a potential game-winning Brandon Dubinsky shot in overtime Sunday.

“We’ve played good hockey, and it’s unfortunate we’ve put ourselves in this situation,” Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno said Monday. “There’s pressure, but we know what we’re facing. We’ve got a chance to just go out there and try to make a series of this.”

The Blue Jackets will get forward Matt Calvert back for Game 4. Calvert served a one-game penalty Sunday for breaking a stick over the back of Penguins winger Tom Kuhnhackl and then decking him after the game was out of reach.

One-timers: Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski will miss the rest of the postseason because of a broken cheekbone. The rookie suffered the injury Sunday when took a puck to the face on a shot by Penguins forward Phil Kessel. … Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler skated Monday for the first time since suffering a knee injury April 4 but he did not play in Game 3 against the Flames.