The Pittsburgh Penguins have won only two of their last seven games (2-2-3) going into their visit to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night. But the return of a key starter helped the Penguins pull off a 4-2 home win over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have added forward Luca Pinelli to the roster on emergency recall from the Cleveland Monsters, the team’s American Hockey League affiliate, club President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell announced today.

Brendan Smith, Luca Pinelli to make special debuts for Columbus Blue Jackets; Zach Werenski will play through injury against Toronto Maple Leafs.

As the Columbus Blue Jackets continue their rebuild, they have two major contract decisions that are due before the season ends. Firstly, top-line center Adam Fantilli is set to become a restricted free agent upon the expiration of his entry-level deal at the end of the season.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are on the road to take on the Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena. The Washington Capitals come into this game with a 5-4-1 record in their last 10 games, having lost three of their last six. They lost last Saturday night to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

BOTTOM LINE: The Columbus Blue Jackets look to end their three-game losing streak when they play the Pittsburgh Penguins. Columbus has gone 11-9-4 overall with a 1-4-1 record against the Metropolitan Division. The Blue Jackets are 5-0-2 in games they score at least one power-play goal.

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube is taking the glass half-full approach and was complimentary of his team’s renewed efforts following a 2-1 overtime victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Columbus Blue Jackets (24 pts) vs. Detroit Red Wings (25 pts) Game Preview Columbus is 48-52-1-14 all-time, and 21-28-0-7 on the road vs. Detroit. Projected Lineup **Lines Subject to Change.