Devils Fall, 4-3, in Columbus | GAME STORY

Oliver Bjorkstrand scored twice, including the game-winning goal in the third period, as Columbus defeated the Devils, 4-3, at Nationwide Arena Saturday night.
Captain Nico Hischier, Jimmy Vesey and Marián Studenič all tallied for the Devils.
Boone Jenner and Yegor Chinakhov chipped in alongside Bjorkstrand's two goals for the Blue Jackets.

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The Devils return home to host the Tampa Bay Lightning Monday night. The game can be seen on MSG+ and heard on the Devils Hockey Network, including right here at NewJerseyDevils.com. Puck drop is 7:08 p.m. ET.
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Here are some observations from the game...
- Once again - in a reoccurring theme of the season - the Devils found themselves undermanned before the game even began. Forwards Jesper Bratt and Nathan Bastian both entered the NHL's COVID-19 protocol, being unavailable for the contest. And Alexander Holtz, who had been returned to Utica of the American Hockey League, also has been diagnosed with COVID and couldn't be recalled.

Thus, the Devils played the game with only 11 forwards (as they had against Detroit on Dec. 18). Fortunately, they were able to dress seven defensemen this time around to have a full stable of players, unlike that Detroit game where they were forced to play with only 19 players.

"I thought it was a great effort on our group. A lot of guys played a lot of different positions, played with a lot of different players," head coach Lindy Ruff said. "I thought we played the game the right way. Gave ourselves a chance to win the hockey game. Even right down to the bitter end. We had a third period where we had the pedal to the metal but just couldn't put one by (Joonas Korpisalo)."

It seems like every morning skate over the past month has had a new player either enter COVID protocol or suffer an illness/injury that keeps them out of that evening's game.

"We were in the game the whole time and showed a lot of resiliency the whole way," Vesey said. "I think the effort was there. Maybe just some sloppy plays for them to score on.

- The Devils found themselves on the downside of a 2-0, 3-2 deficit in the game. They managed to claw their way back into the game. However, the Blue Jackets took a third lead, and that was just too much for the Devils. The Devils inability to get a lead and being forced to play from behind was too much for them to overcome.

"It's not a recipe for success to go behind 2-0. You'll probably not win many games that way," Vesey said. "But we were in the fight. We couldn't get the last goal. We had a lot of chances. The 6-on-5 we were in the zone quite a bit."

- The turning point in the game was in the final minute of the second period. The Devils were on a power play with the game tied at 3-3 and generated several great looks. Hischier was absolutely robbed by goaltender Joonas Korpisalo on a split glove save on a one-timed shot on a cross-ice feed. That may be the save of the year.

On the same man-advantage sequence, Jack Hughes had a shot that went off Korpisalo's shoulder and then off the post. And Hughes also had a great shot from above the circles as time expired. Had the Devils scored on that power play, perhaps the game would have had a different outcome.

- The Devils forced two turnovers in the offensive that directly resulted in goal for the club. On the first Nico Hischier got his stick on a breakout pass by Sean Kuraly along the boards. He then received a pass in the slot and snapped off his seventh goal of the season to cut into Columbus' lead at 2-1.

Late in the first period, Dawson Mercer intercepted a breakout attempt by Emil Bemstrom, quickly pivoted and found Vesey in the high slot. He carried and then wristed a shot glove side for his sixth goal of the season to tie the game at 2-2 with 19.6 seconds remaining in the opening period.

"It always feels good to get on the board," said Vesey, who played the game with Hischier. "I think I've played well most of the year. It just comes down to finishing my chances."

"They got a quick one on us and a lucky goal on the second goal," Ruff said. "Sometimes that happens. We fought back. We had it back to even by the end of the period and played a real strong 40 after that."

- Nice seeing Studenic cash in for his first goal of the season. Studenic did what he's expected to do, used his speed on the rush and then crashed the crease looking for a puck. Jesper Boqvist carried below the goal line and made a centering pass toward the crease. Studenic was there to bury his shot from point blank.

"I saw Bo. He had speed on the boards. I just tried to go through the middle like coach always says," Studenic said. "I just went to the net and there was a rebound for me."

Studenic has the makings of a great fourth line contributor. He has excellent speed, enough skill to be an offensive threat, but is still defensively responsible enough the handle the usual fourth line duties. As he comes along as a penalty killer, Studenic might be finding his niche in the National Hockey League.

"It gave me a little confidence when I scored the goal," Studenic said. "I think our line was playing well after. At the end we had a lot of chances too to tie the game."