Columbus @ Pittsburgh preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 29, 2019 ) Pittsburgh 2, Columbus 5

The Pittsburgh Penguins look to regain their footing after a recent misstep resulted in the end of a three separate streaks, including a string of 10 straight games at home with at least a point (8-0-2). The Penguins aim to get back on track Thursday when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Jake Guentzel's team-leading 17th goal of the season early in the first period was all Pittsburgh would muster in Tuesday's 4-1 setback to Montreal, marking the end of a three-game winning streak and five straight victories at home. The 25-year-old Guentzel has scored 11 of his 17 goals at PPG Paints Arena, although he netted one in a 5-2 setback in Columbus on Nov. 29. Gustav Nyquist recorded his second career hat trick in that encounter for the Blue Jackets, who promptly dropped four in a row before rebounding with a 5-2 victory in Washington on Monday. The 30-year-old Swede has tallied four times in two meetings with Pittsburgh this season and has recorded 12 (four goals, eight assists) of his team-leading 19 points on the road.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS Ohio (Columbus), AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (12-14-4): Columbus coach John Tortorella likes what he sees in center Alexandre Texier, and the 20-year-old Frenchman could see his role expand in light of rookie Emil Bemstrom being sidelined six to eight weeks due to a dislocated rib and broken cartilage. "The thing I like about Tex is I think he understands how to play low in that position," Tortorella said. "A lot more comes into play as a centerman when you don't have the puck in your end zone, a lot more reads like a defenseman, and I think he has the intelligence to do that." Texier set up the Blue Jackets' first goal against the Capitals, as he ignited a passing sequence with Nyquist that resulted in Cam Atkinson deflecting the puck past Braden Holtby.

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (17-10-4): Evgeni Malkin rebounded from a lower-body injury sustained in Pittsburgh's 7-2 win over Columbus on Oct. 5 by erupting for 26 points (seven goals, 19 assists) in his last 17 games. The former Hart Trophy recipient set up Guentzel's goal against the Canadiens for his team-leading 19th assist this season, but he remains one tally shy of 400 for his decorated career. Bryan Rust, who also had an assist on Guentzel's goal, has recorded 13 (four goals, nine assists) of his 18 points at home this season.

OVERTIME

1. Atkinson has three goals in three games after recording just four in his previous 27.

2. Penguins D Kris Letang has scored in both encounters with the Blue Jackets this season.

3. Columbus C Pierre-Luc Dubois (team-leading 10 goals) is mired in an eight-game goal drought.

PREDICTION: Blue Jackets 3, Penguins 2