In Columbus, Zach Werenski returned from an injury on Friday night and potted a goal and two pints in a 3-1 Blue Jackets win over the Calgary Flames.
“It was a great response,” Columbus coach Pascal Vincent said. “We challenged the guys. They challenged each other. We played against a big team, and we responded well.”
Spencer Martin made 36 saves in the win. Martin was claimed off waivers from the Vancouver Canucks in late September, it was his second straight start.
“I had an idea that there was a chance this morning, but then I got it confirmed this afternoon,” Martin said.
Martin earned the start after icing in game against the Detroit Red Wings.
“They made me feel comfortable in the room right away, but out there on the ice, it takes time to build that chemistry,” he said. “I think tonight, our communication was better.”
Werenski scored with less than two and half minutes to go in the game, he hit an empty net for the 3-1 final..
“It was the worst game of our trip,” Calgary forward Mikael Backlund said. “We have to find a way to turn it around Sunday to get a good trip.”
Werenski was returning to the lineup after missing two games for a quad contusion.
After a scoreless first period, Sean Kuraly scored at 6:29 to give the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead.
“You play a lot of good minutes and it’s at the end of the game, it would have been a shame not to get two points,” Kuraly said. “We got it done. We had to get it done.”
Justin Danforth added a marker at 8:45 of the third period for a 2-0 advantage to Columbus.
“It was fun,” Danforth said. “I think we connected well for our first game together.”
Calgary’s Elias Lindholm struck midway through the third to make it 2-1.
Jacob Markstrom made 26 saves in the Flames loss.
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