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Penguins

Pens Lose To Blue Jackets, 5-2

By Sergei Feldman
COLUMBUS (KDKA) ―

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The Pittsburgh Penguins lost to the Columbus Blue Jackets Thursday night, 5-2, dropping their record to 1-3-1 in pre-season play.

After just three shifts, captain Sidney Crosby left the game five minutes into the first period with a groin injury.

Pittsburgh head coach Dan Bylsma called the decision to keep Crosby out for the remainder of the game "more precautionary than anything else."

"It's been tight for a couple of days," he added.

The roster was supposed to closely resemble the one that might start the season on Oct. 2 against the New York Rangers at Mellon Arena. With just one preseason game remaining Sunday afternoon against the Detroit Red Wings, Crosby hoped the soreness would subside by then.

"[Friday] I won't skate, but Saturday I'll try to get on the ice for however long and test it out," he said.

"It's kind of a day-to-day thing. I'd love to play Sunday. That's what I hope but really don't know with groins. I'm cautious about it but I'm not worried."

Pittsburgh traveled to Columbus by bus and the three-hour ride could've contributed to the soreness.

"It probably didn't help," Crosby said.

"When you're sitting there it's tightening up. It's probably not the best for it, but I don't think it's the sole reason."

Jakub Voracek, Derick Brassard and Rick Nash each had a goal and an assist and Michael Blunden and Darek MacKenzie tallied goals for Columbus. Forward Evgeni Malkin scored for the Penguins and assisted on Nate Guenin's short-handed goal.

The loss dropped Pittsburgh's preseason record to 1-3-1 and marked a fourth consecutive winless effort. Pittsburgh's lone victory came against Columbus in the first game of the preseason.

Sunday's Stanley Cup Finals rematch against the Red Wings can be seen on NHL Network and will also be broadcast on Pittsburgh's new HD radio channel at 105.9 HD2. The game starts at 5 p.m.

Source: Pittsburgh Penguins