The home team Columbus tearfully started the match, which shot statistics 13-3 in the first period.
And already after five minutes Gustav Nyquist set his first for the evening.
- I just happened to stand there and the puck took on me so it was pure luck, he says to Aftonbladet, and continues:
- But it was my first for the Jackets in Nationwide Arena so it felt good. I've been waiting for it.
Finished in empty boxPittsburgh leveled at the end of period one, but in the middle period Columbus connected the grip through two goals by Nick Foligno - with the assist of Alexander Wennberg on the other - and in between Nyquist's second for the evening.
The Swedish hattrick was completed in an empty cage at the end of the third. He is thus up to seven goals during the season.
- Kris Letang was a little tired so I looked faster than I actually am when I chased that puck, he says, adding:
- But of course it was fun to do a hattrick. It wasn't yesterday, I haven't done anything since just before the 2014 Olympics, in a match in Washington. I remember that especially because it was the same day I was selected for the Olympic Games, because Johan Franzén could not go.