NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — Mathieu Olivier scored twice in the third period, Elvis Merzlikins made 23 saves for his first shutout of the season and the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the New Jersey Devils 3-0 on Tuesday night for their sixth straight victory.
Dante Fabbro, who has missed the past six games with a lower-body injury, also scored for Columbus.
advertise
Olivier’s first goal was a brilliant breakaway. Cole Sillinger pushed him behind a Devils defenseman, and he hit the puck one way and backhand past Jakob Markstrom to give the Blue Jackets a 2-0 lead at 12:05 of the third period. Shortly after New Jersey’s Nico Hischer hit the post, he added an empty-net goal with four minutes remaining.
Fabbro broke a deadlock for the fourth time this season with a wrist shot past Markstrom from above the left circle at 5:24 of the third period.
A goal in the first period was disallowed. Denton Heinen scored, but teammate Miles Wood (who was drafted by the Devils and spent most of his career in New Jersey) broke Markstrom’s crease and took away his ability to defend. The goal was disallowed following a challenge from the coach.
Markstrom made 22 saves.
advertise
New Jersey center Jack Hughes is out again with a lower-body injury. He could return on Thursday, but the Devils aren’t optimistic.
Next
Blue Jackets: Host Chicago on Wednesday night in their final game before the Olympic break.
Devils: Host the Islanders on Thursday night in their final game before the Olympic break.
___
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
