The Columbus Blue Jackets earned their first road win of the season on Sunday night, while the New Jersey Devils missed an opportunity to secure two points in the final minutes.
Jakub Voracek scored the only goal in the shootout, and Joonas Korpisalo made 39 saves to lead the Blue Jackets to a 4-3 victory over the Devils.
Oliver Bjorkstrand, Patrik Laine, and Boone Jenner also found the back of the net for Columbus.
“Our leaders really stepped up when we needed them,” said Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen. “It was important for us, and they delivered.”
Andreas Johnsson, Dawson Mercer, and Dougie Hamilton scored for the Devils, with Scott Wedgewood stopping 23 shots in the net.
The Devils took an early lead just 1:07 into the game when Jesper Bratt set up Johnsson, who fired a wrister from the circle into the net.
Columbus tied it up on a power play with eight minutes left in the first period. Bjorkstrand scored after Dawson Mercer was penalized for tripping Zach Werenski.
Laine gave the Blue Jackets a 2-1 lead late in the first, blasting a shot past Wedgewood after a slick pass from Voracek, who notched his second assist of the night.
The Devils responded midway through the second period, leveling the score at 2-2 when Mercer capitalized shortly after New Jersey killed off a power play. Hamilton put the Devils ahead 3-2 just a minute later with a powerful shot.
“I just switched sides behind the net and got a great pass from Nico (Hischier),” Hamilton said. “I just tried to shoot it as hard as I could.”
Jenner tied the game for Columbus with an unassisted goal, batting down a puck and quickly firing it past Wedgewood with about five and a half minutes left in regulation.
“I saw the play developing and just tried to get the puck on net as quickly as possible,” Jenner said. “It was great to see it go in.”
The Blue Jackets held off the Devils’ late power-play surge after two penalties left them down five-on-three. Despite the advantage, the Devils couldn’t convert, finishing 0-3 on the power play.
Wedgewood started in goal for New Jersey after Jonathan Bernier earned the win the previous night in Pittsburgh.
“We did some things well, but to be a top team, you must find ways to win back-to-back games, especially when leading 3-2 in the third,” said P.K. Subban. “We’re still learning that.”
Both teams went to a shootout for the first time this season.
UP NEXT
- Blue Jackets: Conclude a three-game road trip at Colorado on Wednesday night.
- Devils: On Tuesday night, begin a three-game West Coast road trip in Anaheim.
