Pittsburgh and Columbus coaches have stare-down for the ages after Blue Jackets go up 7-1

So this is really happening. The Blue Jackets beat the Penguins 7-1 on Thursday and are now in a tie for first place atop the NHL standings.

We’ve seen the Blue Jackets go big or go home on teams before, but to do it on the defending Stanley Cup champions is something else. A four-goal third period sealed the deal for Columbus, but Penguins head coach Mike Sullivan was none too happy with the way it played out.

Sullivan mainly took issue with how head coach John Tortorella was utilizing his players. Columbus went on a power play up 6-1 and scored with their first unit out to quickly make it 7-1 with the conclusion of a Scott Hartnell hat trick.

So of course, Sullivan was less than pleased.

When Sullivan finally caught Tortorella’s eye, the Blue Jackets coach could do nothing but smile.

As for Sullivan’s reaction?

But wait! Sullivan deployed a similar tactic when the Penguins were up five on the Blue Jackets last season.

All’s fair, I suppose.