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Blue Jackets rout the Penguins
COLUMBUS (AP) -- Zac Werenski and Dmitri Voronkov each had a goal and an assist, Elvis Merzlikins made 23 saves and the Columbus Blue Jackets snapped a six-game skid with a 6-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Friday night.
Zach Aston-Reese, Mathieu Olivier, Damon Severson and Cole Sillinger also scored for the Blue Jackets. They improved to 6-8-2 with their first victory since Oct. 30.
Anthony Beauvillier and Michael Bunting scored for Pittsburgh. Tristan Jarry, starting for the first time since Oct. 16, made 34 saves. The Penguins have lost five of six to fall to 6-10-3.
Sean Monahan got the 300th assist of his career on Voronkov's goal. He had two on the night. Merzlikins played the 200th game of his NHL career.
Takeaways
Penguins: Defensive issues that have plagued the Penguins continued against Columbus. Sidney Crosby had an assist, but didn't score and is still two goals short of 600 for his career.
Browns rookie DT Mike Hall Jr. suffers knee injury
CLEVELAND-- Cleveland Browns rookie defensive tackle Mike Hall Jr. suffered a knee injury in practice this week and could be placed on injured reserve, another setback for the team's top draft pick in 2024.
Coach Kevin Stefanski said Hall got hurt during a drill on Thursday as the Browns (2-7) practiced in their indoor facility to get ready for Sundays' game at New Orleans.
Hall was ruled out this week against the Saints (3-7) and Stefanski said he's a candidate for IR, which would mean he would have to sit out a minimum of four games. Stefanski did not say if the 21-year-old Hall needs surgery.
"Not really going there yet, other than to say IR is a potential," Stefanski said.
Hall has only played in four games, but Stefanski had been encouraged by his progress.
"What you're getting from Mike is a lot of positive plays both on defense and on special teams," Stefanski said. "He was providing some good plays for us. So, disappointed, but we'll see how it all shakes out. But believe that this young man's going to be a good football player for us."
A second-round pick from Ohio State, Hall's pro career has gotten off to a shaky start. He was arrested during the summer on a domestic violence charge that was later pleaded down to disorderly conduct.
Hall was placed on the commissioner's exempt list following the August incident and suspended five games by the league.
He made his debut in Week 6 against Philadelphia and was expected to get some playing time at defensive end the rest of this season following the Browns recent trade of Za'Darius Smith to Detroit.
On Thursday, defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz talked about Hall's athleticism making him a versatile player and potential fit at end.
Hall was one of several younger players the Browns were hoping to further develop in what has become a disappointing season.