from Aaron Portzline of Puck-Rakers at the Columbus Dispatch,

This first-round series between the Blue Jackets and Pittsburgh Penguins has made for immensely compelling hockey. The Blue Jackets must exert their will to keep the Penguins from exerting their skill.

Last night, the Jackets had the Penguins tangled and frustrated for the better part of two periods before a delirious crowd of 19,148 in Nationwide Arena, which hosted its third-ever Stanley Cup playoff game, the first in five seasons.

But all of the Jackets’ good work came unraveled in a dizzying span of 2:13 of the third period, when the Penguins scored three goals to take a 4-3 lead and, eventually, a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.

Game 4 is Wednesday at 7 p.m. in Nationwide.

“I don’t think Game 4 can come fast enough for us,” Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson said.

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