Despite strong game, Dubinsky his own worst critic
Brandon Dubinsky sat in front of his locker, his teamissued camouflage hat turned backward on his head.
The Blue Jackets center really didn’t need to say a word. His pained expression told the story of the cruel twist of playoff overtime.
“Couple inches left, right or higher and it goes in the net,” Dubinsky said of his overtime rebound shot that struck the facemask of Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. “It didn’t go in and now we’re here.”
“Here” is a 3-0 series deficit after Jake Guentzel gave the Penguins a 5-4 win with his third goal of the game at 13:10 of overtime Sunday night at Nationwide Arena.
It was a crushing defeat for the Blue Jackets and their 19,092 fans in attendance. And, it was particularly tough for Dubinsky, who played so valiantly with a goal, assist and nine hits only to come up second best again to his longtime nemesis Sidney Crosby, who had two assists and set up Guentzel’s winner with great work behind the net.
The alternate captain was a big reason why the Blue Jackets built a 3-1 lead, and his goal with 4:49 left in regulation is what forced overtime. But Dubinsky is John Tortorella’s first lieutenant in the locker room for a reason. He can be brutally honest with his own play.
Dubinsky took his share of responsibility for a pair of goals, including the winner in which he was on the wrong post as Crosby outworked several Jackets behind the net and spotted Guentzel, who completed a hat trick. The center also was in the penalty box midway through the third period when Guentzel gave the Penguins a 4-3 lead.
“As many good things as there were individually, there were too many bad things,” Dubinsky said. “I got caught on the wrong side. I’ve got to have that guy.”
Cam Atkinson, who scored a pair of goals, lauded the performance of his linemate.
“That’s what he does, he elevates his game in these type of situations,” Atkinson said of Dubinsky. “That’s why he is the player he is and that’s what I love to play with him. He was everywhere tonight.”
Dubinsky was so close to being the hero. He drove the net seven minutes into overtime and pounced on a long rebound left by Fleury, who was a human Pitch-Back most of the night. Dubinsky’s shot hit the top of the goaltender’s mask and caromed into the netting.
Minutes later, the Penguins were celebrating at the other end of the ice, leaving Dubinsky one defeat from his third playoff series loss to Crosby and the Penguins.
“It hurts, no doubt about it,” Dubinsky said. “We needed this one. It’s one we needed and unfortunately we didn’t get it done. Now, we’re in a situation where it’s do or die. We can pout and hang our heads or come to work tomorrow and get ready for another game.”