Columbus 3, New Jersey 2
When: 7:00 PM ET, Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Where: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
Referees:
Rob Martell, Ghislain Hebert
Linesmen:
Brian Murphy, Andy McElman
Attendance:
14524
By SportsDirect Inc.
Blue Jackets 3, Devils 2 (OT): Defenseman Jack Johnson scored on a backhand shot from the slot 56 seconds into overtime as Columbus began its three-game homestand with its seventh consecutive overall victory.
Nick Foligno recorded a power-play goal and Brandon Dubinsky scored on a penalty shot for the Blue Jackets, who have won 10 of their last 11 contests. Ryan Johansen notched a pair of assists and Sergei Bobrovsky made 24 saves as Columbus earned a split of the four-game season series despite being officially eliminated from postseason contention by Boston's triumph over Florida on Tuesday.
Mike Cammalleri registered his fifth two-goal performance of the campaign for the Devils, who suffered their sixth straight loss (0-4-2). Cory Schneider turned aside 28 shots for New Jersey, which has scored fewer than three goals in each game during its slide.
The Devils cashed in on a power-play opportunity late in the first period to take the lead, as Cammalleri one-timed defenseman Eric Gelinas' feed past Bobrovsky from the right faceoff circle with 56 seconds remaining. Columbus answered 1:49 into the second session, when Foligno redirected Alexander Wennberg's shot from the right circle while on the doorstep with two seconds remaining on Patrik Elias' tripping penalty.
Dubinsky was awarded a penalty shot at 4:44 after being slashed by Stefan Matteau on a breakaway and converted, beating Schneider to the glove side with a wrist shot for a 2-1 edge. Bobrovsky denied Dainius Zubrus' initial shot and rebound chance on a short-handed breakaway, but Cammalleri whacked a loose puck past the goaltender while falling away from the net with 2:29 left in the third to forge a tie.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Wennberg returned to the lineup from a hand injury while Columbus LW Matt Calvert was back in action after missing time with a concussion. ... Johansen's assist on Foligno's goal extended his point streak to eight games. He has collected three goals and eight assists during the run. ... Cammalleri's power-play goal was his team-leading ninth, while Foligno's was his club-high 11th.
Top Game Performances
New Jersey |
|
Columbus |
Michael Cammalleri 2 |
Points |
Ryan Johansen 2 |
Michael Cammalleri 2 |
Goals |
Brandon Dubinsky 1 |
Eric Gelinas 1 |
Assists |
Ryan Johansen 2 |
Michael Cammalleri 1 |
Power Play Goals |
Nick Foligno 1 |
Michael Cammalleri 1 |
Short Handed Goals |
N/A |
Cory Schneider .903 |
Save Percentage |
Sergei Bobrovsky .923 |
Cory Schneider 28 |
Saves |
Sergei Bobrovsky 24 |
Team Stats Summary
Team |
Shots |
Goals |
Power Play |
Penalty Kill |
Penalty Mins |
Face Offs Won |
New Jersey
|
26 |
2 |
1-2 |
3-4 |
8 |
17 |
Columbus
|
31 |
3 |
1-4 |
1-2 |
4 |
29 |
Upcoming Games
-
Columbus will play their next game at home against NY Islanders. The Blue Jackets have a W/L % of .595 after a win and .385 after a loss.
-
New Jersey will play their next game at home against Montreal. The Devils have a W/L % of .469 after a win and .356 after a loss.