(Photo Courtesy of AP/ Jay LaPrete)
Columbus Blue Jackets-5 New Jersey Devils-4
The New Jersey Devils traveled to Ohio tonight, to take on their new Metropolitan rivals, the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Blue Jackets were 4-1-1 in their last six games at home, and were ready to go for another win. The Devils came off a big overtime win vs. the Rangers Saturday night, and were ready to build on it.
Thirty-two seconds into the game, the Devils jumped on the board, with Travis Zajac giving them a 1-0 lead. Then at 7:09 in the first period, Blue Jackets’ Cam Atkinson deflected the puck off his skate tying the game at 1. The Devils would retake the lead with Michael Ryder’s goal at 10:02 making it 2-1.
Early in the second period, Devils’ Damien Brunner scored a goal making it 3-1 at 1:08. It would be all Blue Jackets after that. Brandon Dubinsky scored at 4:19 making the game 3-2. Then Cam Atkinson would get his second goal of the night tying the game, 3-3, at the 5:08 mark.
At 00:18 in the third, Columbus’ Matt Calvert would give the Blue Jackets their first lead of the night making it 4-3. The Devils would show life again at 13:59 with Damien Brunner’s second goal of the night, tying it at 4. That tie score would change yet again, with Columbus’ Nick Foligno getting the game winner past Brodeur at 18:29. Columbus would hold on to win 5-4 over the Devils.
The Devils continue their road trip and travel to Pittsburgh to take on the Penguins on Friday December 13. Face off is at 7 PM.
Notes- Only 3 penalties were in the game tonight. The Devils were 0-1 on the power play and the Blue Jackets were 0-2.
Shots on Goal- Devils 34 Blue Jackets- 23.
Following tonight’s game, Columbus is now one point behind the Devils in the standings (Columbus 29 – Devils 30).
Keith Logan: PureSportsNY