Jackets end short skid, lengthen Blackhawks' run of futility

Field Level Media|published: Sat 2nd March, 22:53 2024

Mar 2, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Cole Sillinger (4) shoots the puck against Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Kevin Korchinski (55) during the first period at the United Center. credits: Matt Marton-USA TODAY Sports

Mathieu Olivier scored the game-winner as the Columbus Blue Jackets avoided a third straight loss with a 5-2 victory over the host Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night.

Alexandre Texier, Boone Jenner, Cole Sillinger and Johnny Gaudreau scored the other Columbus goals.

Elvis Merzlikins made 26 saves for the Blue Jackets, who completed the sweep of the season series against the Blackhawks.

Columbus won the other matchup 7-3 in Columbus on Nov. 22 in the only other meeting between the two clubs this season.

Philipp Kurashev scored a goal and added an assist, and Ryan Donato also scored for Chicago. Arvid Soderblom stopped 26 shots for the Blackhawks, who have just one win in their past 15 games (1-11-3).

Donato poked home the rebound off Kurashev's initial shot for his seventh of the season at 6:18 of the third to cut Columbus' lead to 4-2, but that's as close as Chicago would get.

Gaudreau added an empty netter with 2:25 remaining.

Columbus scored a pair of goals in the second and led 4-1.

The Jackets took a 3-1 lead when Olivier's backhand shot beat Soderblom under the arm for his second of the season at 3:09 of the second.

Sillinger made it 4-1, one-timing an Alex Nylander pass past Soderblom for his 11th at 11:51 of the middle frame. Sillinger has goals in three straight games for the first time in his career.

The Blue Jackets out-shot the Blackhawks 13-9 and led 2-1 after one period.

Columbus opened the scoring 33 seconds into the opening period as Texier beat Soderblom blocker-side for his ninth of the season.

Jenner doubled Columbus' lead, re-directing a Zach Werenski point shot past Soderblom at 14:05 of the first for his team-leading 19th goal and third against the Blackhawks this season. The Blue Jackets captain has six goals and four assists in 10 games since the All-Star break.

Kurashev got Chicago on the board, beating Merzlikins under the glove at 17:32 of the first for his 10th of the season. With the assist on the goal, Connor Bedard has two goals and six assists in eight games since returning from a jaw injury.

—Field Level Media

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