Sean Monahan showcased his offensive prowess with a standout performance, notching two goals and an assist to lead the Columbus Blue Jackets to a much-needed 4-2 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Thursday night. The win came as a relief to a struggling Columbus team that had dropped five consecutive games prior to this matchup.
In addition to Monahan’s heroics, goaltender Elvis Merzlikins had a stellar outing, turning aside an impressive 40 shots to secure the win for the Blue Jackets. Columbus also received scoring contributions from Ivan Provorov and Zach Werenski, further solidifying their offensive depth in this game.
The Blue Jackets, who have had a challenging stretch with just two wins in their last 10 games, found some momentum against the Devils. Kirill Marchenko played a key role in the victory, notching two assists to reach his 100th NHL point and extending his point streak to four games.
Monahan’s impact was felt throughout the game, with his first goal coming in the second period to give Columbus a 3-0 lead. He later sealed the win with an empty-net goal with just over a minute remaining on the clock. His offensive output was a crucial factor in the Blue Jackets’ success on the night.
New Jersey, despite the loss, put up a valiant effort, with Luke Hughes and Timo Meier contributing on the scoresheet. Goaltender Jake Allen made 16 saves in the contest, but it was not enough to overcome Columbus’ offensive outburst.
The game featured a contrast in styles, with the Devils looking to mount a comeback late in the game. Although they managed to score two late goals to narrow the deficit, Monahan’s empty-netter ultimately secured the win for Columbus.
One notable aspect of the game was the defensive contributions from Columbus’ blueliners. Provorov’s goal marked the 22nd scored by a Blue Jackets defenseman this season, the highest total among all NHL teams. Werenski also made his presence felt, extending his home point streak to 10 games, tying a franchise record in the process.
Looking ahead, both teams are set to return to action on Saturday. The Devils will host the Pittsburgh Penguins, while the Blue Jackets will travel to face the Philadelphia Flyers. The win for Columbus provides a much-needed boost as they aim to climb the standings and turn their season around.
In conclusion, the victory over the Devils was a significant one for the Blue Jackets, who showed resilience and determination in snapping their losing streak. With standout performances from players like Monahan and Merzlikins, Columbus will look to build on this win and string together more positive results in the games to come.
