The Pittsburgh Penguins took a one-game lead on the Columbus Blue Jackets with a 3-1 win Wednesday at PPG Paints Arena in the opening game of their first-round NHL playoff series.
Marc-Andre Fleury made a surprise start and made 31 saves. Goalie Matt Murray was expected to start but he sustained a lower-body injury during warmups.
Bryan Rust gave the Penguins a 1-0 lead at 1:15 of the second period. Phil Kessel made it 2-0 with a power-play goal at 3:45. Nick Bonino extended the lead to 3-0 at 16:25.
Game 2 in the best-of-7 series is in Pittsburgh Friday.
