Timo Meier and Jesper Bratt struck just 39 seconds apart in the second period, helping the New Jersey Devils secure a 2-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night.
Goaltender Jake Allen delivered a season-best performance with 45 saves, improving his record to 12-13-1 and preserving the Devils’ narrow win.
Mathieu Olivier netted the lone goal for Columbus, while Jet Greaves made 18 saves but dropped to 2-2-2 in his six starts this season.
Meier scored with 6:25 left in the second period, collecting the puck in the neutral zone before racing up the left wing, cutting past two defenders, and slipping a backhander through Greaves’ five-hole as he crashed into the net. It marked his 20th goal of the season and fifth of the month.
Less than a minute later, Bratt extended the lead to 2-0 with his 20th goal. Greaves misplayed a dump-in from Brian Dumoulin behind the net, allowing the puck to deflect off his stick directly to Bratt. From a sharp angle, Bratt quickly capitalized before Greaves could recover.
Olivier ended Columbus’ scoring drought of nearly 183 minutes by knocking in a loose puck with 6:36 left in the third period, but the Blue Jackets couldn’t find the equalizer.
Game Takeaways
Devils: New Jersey continued its strong form, winning for the fourth time in five games to maintain a firm grip on third place in the Metropolitan Division.
Blue Jackets: Columbus suffered its fourth consecutive loss, slipping out of the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Blue Jackets, who had been shut out in back-to-back games, finally snapped their scoreless streak 182:55 with Olivier’s goal.
Key Moment
Just before New Jersey’s back-to-back goals in the second period, Allen made a crucial diving save on a close-range wrist shot from Kent Johnson, keeping the game scoreless and setting the stage for the Devils’ quick-strike offense.
Key Stat
Allen was under siege in the third period, making 23 of his 45 total saves as the Devils were outshot 24-3 in the final frame.
Looking Ahead
New Jersey returns home to host Calgary on Thursday, kicking off a three-game homestand. Columbus will wrap up its four-game homestand with a matchup against Florida.
