In Columbus, the Blue Jackets’ Patrik Laine scored with 1:49 gone in extra time on Thursday night to help Columbus bounce back for a 3-2 win over the New York Islanders.
New York’s Martin Barzal had tied the game, 2-2, early in the third period and force the extra session.
“I got the puck from (Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski),” Laine said. “I was thinking about keeping it and going to the neutral zone, but then I just realized they had a long shift so I might as well try something, and I got past the guy and just tried to shoot it. Our goalie coach (Manny Legace) told me to go low blocker, so that’s where I went, and it went in.”
Elvis Merzlikins made 34 saves for the win.
“You want to get two points every night, but at least we found a way to get one,” New York’s Scott Mayfield said.
Mayfield gave the Isles a 1-0 lead.
“They’re just dumping the puck in, 1-on-3, just trying to make a line change,” Islanders head coach Barry Trotz said. “They had some zone time. We take a penalty on it. In some ways, it’s unacceptable. That’s just being careless.
“They scored on it and got some momentum. A shift after a goal is huge. All of a sudden a really good period you can wrap your arms around for really 17 minutes, you come out 2-1.”
After falling behind, 0-1, the Blue Jackets’ Boone Jenner and Cole Sillinger scored 33 apart in the middle frame for a 2-1 lead.
“I don’t think there was any pressure,” Sillinger said. “I was getting chances in the game, so my main focus was to generate chances as much as I can for my team, and it was really good that one finally popped in the net there.
“I’m pretty relaxed. It was good for all of us to rebound and get a key win in our own building.”
Ilya Sorokin made 29 saves in the loss.
“We haven’t had a complete effort for sure, but we’ll give some props to our group in the third (for) battling back,” Trotz said. “That can be really disheartening, having a real strong second period like we did, then being on the wrong side of the score.”
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