Pens Points: Columbus Crushed

After a blowout win of their own on Tuesday night, the Penguins were the ones taking the punches on Thursday at the hands of the red hot Columbus Blue Jackets, falling 7-1 and failing to gain at least a point in the standings for the first time in December. Sidney Crosby put the Pens in front less than three minutes into the game with his 23rd goal of the season but it was all Blue Jackets after that, scoring seven unanswered goals to win their eleventh in a row. [Pensburgh]

Luckily for the Pens, they will not have to sit around and stew on this blowout for days as they are back in action tomorrow night when they play host to the New Jersey Devils at PPG Paints Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 PM and he game will be broadcast on ROOT Sports.

Santa came a few days early for Eric Fehr and his wife. The Fehr family welcomed their second son, Benjamin STANLEY Fehr, to the world on Wednesday afternoon. [Trib Live]

Short on size but big on game Conor Sheary is fitting in just fine with the Pens. [Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]

Sheary, along with Bryan Rust, are proving they are not just one hit wonders. [Fan Rag]

After bouncing between different lines and different roles, forward Scott Wilson is starting to find his spot in the lineup. [Trib Live]

If you’re looking for something to do over the holidays check out the Three Rivers Classic to be hosted at PPG Paints Arena on December 29-30. Hosts Robert Morris will welcome Ferris State, No. 5 Boston College, and No. 13 Quinnipiac to town for the annual tournament. [Penguins]

News and notes from around the NHL...

Frustration is beginning to mount for Jonathan Toews as his goal scoring slump drags on. [Chicago Sun Times]

In the midst of a seven game losing streak, the New Jersey Devils are beginning to deal with frustrations of their own. (Note: The Devils ended their losing streak Thursday night with a 4-0 win over the Flyers.) [NJ.com]

Whatever your thoughts on the shootout, you must admit it does produce some mind bending entertainment. [Puck Daddy]

This will be the final Pens Points before Christmas and I just wanted to end by saying Merry Christmas to all of our readers. You all are the reason we do this and why we love doing it. Thank you for reading and interacting with us everyday. We all appreciate it. Please have a safe and happy holiday.