Penguins 4, Blue Jackets 3

Some news and notes, facts and quotes from the Penguins’ 4-3 victory over Columbus in Game 1 of their first-round playoff series Wednesday night at Consol Energy Center:

*** The Penguins rallied from a 3-1 deficit to grab a 1-0 lead in the series, which resumes Saturday at 7:08 p.m. at Consol Energy Center.

*** Although the Blue Jackets were making just the second playoff appearance in franchise history, it was the Penguins who appeared to be somewhat nervous and off their game for the first period or so. “We got better as the game went along,” defenseman Matt Niskanen said. “We seemed a little hesitant, a little shaky, in the first 30 minutes.”

*** Despite the loss, the Blue Jackets seem convinced they can compete with the Penguins. “That’s a good team,’ Columbus goalie Sergei Bobrovsky said. “Good players. We can play with them.”

*** Although this is the eighth consecutive series in which the Penguins have had Games 1 and 2 on home ice, they’ll have a chance to start 2-0 for just the second time during that span.

*** Columbus grabbed its first-ever postseason lead at 6:20 of the opening period as Brandon Dubinsky carried the puck down the left side, beat Penguins defenseman Paul Martin, then threw a backhand pass to Jack Johnson in the right circle. Johnson took the puck to the net and pushed a backhander past goalie Marc-Andre Fleury. “When we got that early goal, I think our whole bench kind of sat back and said, ‘OK, we can play with these guys,’ ” Columbus center Ryan Johansen said.

*** The Penguins scored on two of three power plays, but also gave up a shorthanded goal.

*** Centers Evgeni Malkin, who missed the final 11 regular-season games with a foot injury, and Joe Vitale, who sat out the last 13 because of an unspecified injury, returned to the Penguins’ lineup. Malkin had two assists to run his career total to 99 points.

*** Brandon Sutter scored the game-winning goal on a two-on-one break at 8:18 of the third period, giving the Penguins their only lead of the evening. It was Sutter’s first career playoff game-winner.

*** Johnson, on Columbus being competitive with the Penguins: “Whether if you lose 10-0 or 1-0, it’s still a loss. We’re not happy with close.”

*** Penguins center Sidney Crosby assisted on Niskanen’s power-play goal in the second period. It was his 106th postseason point, tying him with Kevin Stevens for third place on the Penguins’ all-time list.

*** Rookie defenseman Olli Maatta’s first-period assist on Jussi Jokinen’s goal was his first career playoff point.

*** Left winger Chris Kunitz and defenseman Rob Scuderi of the Penguins both appeared in their 100th playoff game.

*** Former Penguin Mark Letestu and Derek MacKenzie scored the other Columbus goals, while Bennett got the other Penguins goal.

*** Niskanen, on the Penguins winning despite having some obvious flaws in their game: “The best lessons learned are the ones where you win the game and do well. This time of year the results matter first; moral victories are second.”

*** Forward Chris Conner, who missed the final 40 games of the regular season because of a foot injury, was sent to the Penguins’ farm team in Wilkes-Barre on a conditioning assignment.

*** The Penguins scratched forwards Taylor Pyatt and Jayson Megna and defenseman Deryk Engelland and Robert Bortuzzo.

*** Sutter, on the Blue Jackets: “They’re a good team. They play hard and they have a good goaltender. They’re a well-balanced team. And it’s going to be a tough series.”