Penguins Reunite Crosby Line Before Blue Jackets Clash

The Pittsburgh Penguins prepared to face the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on Oct. 9, 2026, after a difficult start to the season, with coach Dan Muse restoring Sidney Crosby's line with Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell while seeking a response after a 5-3 loss to Washington.

According to NHL.com, Pittsburgh entered the matchup with points in 19 of its last 20 games against Columbus, going 14-1-5 since Dec. 12, 2019. The Penguins were also 24-3-6 in their last 33 meetings with the Blue Jackets.

The Penguins adjusted their lineup after four of their six defensemen recorded multiple turnovers in the loss to Washington, according to Pittsburgh Hockey Now. Kris Letang led the team with four giveaways.

Dan Muse explained that newly acquired defenseman Spencer Stastney would watch from the stands while adapting to his new team after joining Pittsburgh from Edmonton in exchange for Filip Hallander.

"There's a lot of hockey to be played, a lot of games coming up. In terms of the day one, it's his first time meeting some of the coaches, his first time meeting some of the players, most of the players. So, it's a new group.

He'll just be watching from up top. Gave him a couple of things to look for that might be a little bit different, but you don't want to overwhelm anybody with too much, too soon. I think you want to get your feet underneath you... that's the priority right now," said Dan Muse, head coach.

NHL.com reported Rust returned from injury against Washington and initially played with other linemates before moving back alongside Crosby and Rakell. Muse said the familiar trio helped the Penguins build momentum during the game.

"I didn't think we, as a team, were playing at our best. Things got shuffled a little bit there, and with that line going back together, I thought that we started to put together some shifts – not just that those three, but then the lines afterwards. So, with that, we were building some momentum.

Stayed with it, and I thought we played better from that point on. And so, we're going to go back with that. Obviously, there's some familiarity with those guys, a lot of familiarity.

I also think that the other lines that did get moved around a little bit, which would have been Kindel’s line, they played well together, also. So, that's the thought process, and go from there," said Dan Muse, head coach.

Before the game, Pittsburgh held a 2-2-0 record while Columbus entered at 1-1-0, according to Pittsburgh Hockey Now. Sergei Murashov was scheduled to start in goal for the Penguins.

NHL.com reported Declan Carlile had four points through his first four games with Pittsburgh, matching his previous career totals. Tommy Novak also carried a four-game point streak against Columbus with 10 career points in nine games against the team.

Sidney Crosby had 71 points in 49 career games against Columbus, while Kris Letang's 14 goals against the Blue Jackets were the most by a defenseman in NHL history, according to NHL.com.