COLUMBUS — For the second time in his career, Jack Hughes scored a hat trick to lead the New Jersey Devils past the Columbus Blue Jackets 6-3 on Saturday night.
Columbus fell behind just 47 seconds into the game when Tyler Toffoli intercepted an outlet pass by Johnny Gaudreau and fed the puck to Hughes who scored his fastest goal of his NHL career.
The Devils took advantage of the early momentum, outshooting Columbus 7-2 in the first period.
Later in the period, Haula made it 2-0 at 16:21 from the left circle.
“We chased it all night,” Blue Jackets coach Pascale Vincent said. “It’s an offensive team. Good in transition. Their line of center is one of the best in the league. They’re a good defensive team and with their offensive ability to make plays and their skating ability, it makes it hard to play against.”
Tyler Toffoli and Nico Hischier each had a goal and an assist, Erik Haula also scored, and Jesper Bratt added three assists to extend his point streak to seven games. Goaltender Akira Schmid stopped 23 shots for New Jersey.
Columbus got goal from Kirill Marchenko, Yegor Chinakhov and Alexandre Texier. Daniil Tarasov made his first start this year and stopped 23 shots in the losing effort.
Columbus has now lost five of its last seven games.
Marchenko scored 17 seconds into the second period to cut the lead in half with a power-play goal. Gaudreau earned his 700th NHL point with the assist.
But the Devils would quickly take back a two-goal lead when Toffoli scored on a wrister from the high slot 33 seconds later for his team-leading 13th goal of the season.
Chinakhov cut the deficit to one again at 8:38 of the second but Columbus wouldn't get any closer when Hughes made it 4-2 with his 100th career goal, four seconds into a 4-on-3 power-play.
Hughes added an empty-netter at 19:12 completed the hat trick.
Columbus visits Buffalo on Tuesday.
New Jersey 2 2 2 — 6
Columbus 0 2 1 — 3
First Period
NJD—J. Hughes (12) Assists: T. Toffoli (10), 0:47.
NJD—E. Haula (8) Assists: D. Mercer (5), A. Holtz (6), 16:21.
Second Period
CBJ—K. Marchenko (10) (Power Play) Assists: Johnny Gaudreau (12), 0:17.
NJD—T. Toffoli (13) Assists: J. Bratt (22), 0:50.
CBJ—Y. Chinakhov (8) Assists: A. Peeke (3), D. Voronkov (10), 8:38.
NJD—J. Hughes (13) (Power Play) Assists: J. Bratt (23), N. Hischier (7), 11:54.
Third Period
NJD—N. Hischier (7) Assists: J.Bratt (24), 2:50.
CBJ—A. Texier Assists: A. Fantilli (9), D. Jiricek (7), 18:57.
NJD—J. Hughes (14) (Empty Net) Unassisted, 19:12.
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