The Columbus Blue Jackets broke the ice with a late highlight reel goal, with a regulation victory over the New Jersey Devils, with the final score being 4-3.

Superstar Jack Hughes opened the scoring with his 17th of the campaign. The opening goal was unassisted and on the powerplay.

Jake Christainsen evened the scoring with his first career NHL goal, off a clean wrister. His goal was also the first of three unanswered Columbus goals. The undrafted defenseman has been getting his shot in the roster after defenseman Scott Harrington fell out of contention. Congratulations to the youngster! His goal was assisted by forwards Cole Sillinger and Max Domi.

Oliver Bjorkstrand returned to the stat department with his 18th of the season. Jakub Voracek and Jack Roslovic got the helpers. It was the third and final goal of the first period, and the two Columbus goals came in 4 minutes and 27 seconds of each other.

Only 46 seconds into the second period, captain Boone Jenner's 23rd came off the power play; more assists to Jakub Voracek's arsenal as well as Patrik Laine.

New Jersey stopped the onslaught with their captain, Nico Hischer, registering his 15th goal of the season. Damon Severson, heavily in the rumor mill, and forward Michael McLeod helped get the team back to a one goal deficit.

The toe-drag of the night came next. Winger Patrik Laine and his hot streak continues through March of 2022, deking out the Devils' defenders for his 20th of the season, and 14th goal in his last 12 games. Jenner and Carlsson got the apples on the final Columbus goal. This was absolutely the play of the night by miles.

Pavel Zacha's 13th came off the power play for the Devils. Yet another highly touted player to be moved off the roster, Zacha's shot shows what he can do with the puck, beating Elvis with the shot. Rookie Dawson Mercer got an assist, as well as Dougie Hamilton.

Rookie Nico Daws was in the pipes for Jersey, stopping 27 of 31 shots for a 0.871 save percentage.

Merzi's glove highlight on Jesper Bratt was just one of his 30 saves against the Devils. The Columbus starter earned a 0.909 save percentage on the evening for the Union Blue.

CBJ 3 Stars of the Game:

1. Patrik Laine -- game-winning goal (20), assist (18)

2. Jake Christainsen -- first career goal (1)

3. Elvis Merzlikins -- W, 30 saves, 90.9% Sv%


Rumor Cannon

Boston is looking at Domi... New Jersey is actively calling on any goalie with a pulse, and that now includes G Korpisalo... it has been public since his days in Winnipeg that Laine wants to play in Los Angeles, but as LeBrun pointed out this week, Columbus has control for another season with his restrictive rights still in play...

Patrik Laine (RFA) [Cap Hit: $7.5M] ANA, FLA, LA, NYI

Max Domi (UFA) [Cap Hit: $5.3M] BOS, NYR, OTT, PIT, TOR

G Joonas Korpisalo (UFA) [Cap Hit: $2.8M] COL, EDM, NJD
Reported asking price is a second and third round

F Kevin Stenlund (RFA) [Cap Hit: $1.05M] EDM

C Jack Roslovic (RFA) [Cap Hit: $1,838,362]

D Dean Kukan (UFA) [Cap Hit: $1.65M]

D Scott Harrington (UFA) [Cap Hit: $1,633,333]

F Tyler Sikua (UFA) [Cap Hit: $750K]

F Zac Rinaldo (UFA) [Cap Hit: $750K]

G Cam Johnson (UFA) [Cap Hit: $750K]

G Jean-Francois Berube (UFA) [Cap Hit: $750K]

F Brendan Gaunce (UFA) [Cap Hit: $750K]

F Justin Danforth (UFA) [Cap Hit: $750K]



Reportedly Having Interest In:

F Brendan Gallagher (MTL) --> CBJ

D Jacob Chychrun (ARI)--> ANA, BOS, CBJ, DET, FLA, LA, NYI, NYR, OTT, STL, TOR

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