Blue Jackets recover, top Penguins in shootout for 4th straight win

Aston-Reese put Columbus ahead 1-0 on its second shot on goal at 2:42 of the first period. A slap shot from Zach Werenski hit Pittsburgh forward Noel Acciari and went to Aston-Reese, who scored his first goal in 25 games this season on a wrist shot from the slot.

Clifton tied it 1-1 at 9:59 with his first goal of the season, a snap shot through traffic and past Merzlikins’ glove from the right face-off circle.

Rakell gave the Penguins a 2-1 lead at 17:52 by chipping in a pass Crosby sent out front from the far corner.

Marchenko tied it 2-2 at 7:32 of the second period, beating Crosby to a loose puck and driving to the right circle for a wrist shot to score his 18th goal this season and eighth in the past 13 games.

Heinen put Columbus in front 3-2 at 17:38. He deflected a point shot from Erik Gudbranson for his first goal in eight games since being acquired in a trade that sent Chinakhov to Pittsburgh on Dec. 29.

“I’d be lying if I didn’t say it felt good,” Heinen said. “But the win definitely feels better. Just try to keep this thing going. … That’s a team we’re chasing. So, I think everybody realizes how big it was.”

NOTES: The Blue Jackets have won twice in Pittsburgh in the same season for the first time since entering the NHL in 2000. They won 5-4 in a shootout here on Oct. 25. … Crosby factored on a game-tying goal in the third period for the 108th time of his career, passing Jaromir Jagr (107) for the third-most in League history behind Wayne Gretzky (135) and Mark Messier (112). … The Blue Jackets and Penguins played past regulation in each of their four meetings. After the shootout loss on Oct. 25, Pittsburgh won 4-3 in overtime on Nov. 28 and 5-4 in overtime on Jan. 4. … Columbus defenseman Dante Fabbro left midway through the first period with a lower-body injury. He will be evaluated on Sunday, Bowness said.