Laine has goal, assist for Blue Jackets in win against Devils

COLUMBUS --Patrik Laine had a goal and an assist for the Columbus Blue Jackets in a 4-3 win against the New Jersey Devils at Nationwide Arena on Tuesday.

Laine made it 4-2 at 1:18 of the third period with his 20th goal of the season. He entered the zone 1-on-3 and toedragged around two defenders for a shot from the left circle. Laine has scored four goals in the past five games.
"It was kind of instinct," Laine said. "I had a lot of speed coming through the neutral zone. I was planning on shooting. I kind of lost it in my feet for a second or two. I was lucky to get it off. Good thing it went in."
Boone Jenner had a goal and an assist, and Elvis Merzlikins made 30 saves for the Blue Jackets (28-25-1), who have split the first two of a five-game homestand. Jakub Voracek had two assists.
"They are a really fast team," Merzlikins said. "I think we did a pretty well job defensively. The warning was from the first seconds (of the game). That was warning they are fast and can be really dangerous. Later on, we did a pretty good job."

Jack Hughes extended his point streak to eight games, and Nico Daws made 27 saves for the Devils (19-30-5), who defeated the Vancouver Canucks 7-2 on Monday.
"I don't think we skated that bad tonight," New Jersey defenseman Damon Severson said. "I thought we were pretty good skatingwise. We grinded when we needed to grind."
Hughes scored 54 seconds into the first period on a power play to give New Jersey a 1-0 lead. He has scored 14 points (six goals, eight assists) during his streak.
Jake Christiansen's first NHL goal tied it 1-1 at 13:08. The Blue Jackets defenseman was playing his fourth game.
Oliver Bjorkstrand made it 2-1 at 17:35 with a one-timer from the slot. Jack Roslovic took advantage of a turnover and passed to Voracek in the right face-off circle, and he passed to Bjorkstrand.
"We weren't skating in the beginning," Laine said. "They are one of the best skating teams in the league. They are a tough team to play against if you are not skating. We found our legs after that, began to get on the body. That's how we've been successful the last couple of games."

The Devils outshot the Blue Jackets 16-9 in the first.
"The first period we came out and created a lot of chances and didn't capitalize," New Jersey coach Lindy Ruff said. "That was probably the biggest difference in the game."

Jenner's 5-on-3 goal 46 seconds into the second period gave Columbus a 3-1 lead. Laine's one-timer from the left circle hit the post and fell behind Daws, and Jenner was there to push it over the goal line.
Nico Hischier cut it to 3-2 at 16:00 with a snap shot from the right face-off circle.
Pavel Zacha scored a power-play goal at 7:06 of the third with a shot from the high slot for the 4-3 final.
"Most of the games, we have been down at some point," Laine said. "We've kind of struggled every now and then and been down in the game but we found our way back, always found way back in the game, found those goals. Proud of our team effort tonight."
NOTES:The Blue Jackets have won seven straight at home against the Devils and are 12-1-1 in their past 14 games against them; the regulation loss was Jan. 6 at New Jersey. … Columbus forward Brendan Gaunce left in the first period because of an upper-body injury. There was no update. … Blue Jackets defenseman Adam Boqvist (upper body) was unavailable and missed an opportunity to play against his brother, Devils forward Jesper Boqvist. … New Jersey scored in the first minute for the fifth time this season, which leads the NHL. … Blue Jackets forward Max Domi scored his 300th NHL point with an assist on Christiansen's goal. Domi has scored 99 goals with 201 assists in 473 games.