NEWARK, N.J. — Elvis Merzlikins made 37 saves — including 20 in the final period — and Eric Robinson's first goal of the season proved to be the game-winner as the Columbus Blue Jackets edged the New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Friday.
The Blue Jackets got their second-straight win after a nine-game losing streak while New Jersey has now lost its third in a row and sixth time in seven games.
Columbus drew first blood in the opening period, as Boone Jenner scored at 10:04 for his 11th goal of the season. Johnny Gaudreau earned an assist on the scoring play.
The Devils would answer minutes later, as forward Alexander Holtz tied it at 13:15, putting a wrister past Merzlikins for his fifth goal of the year. Ondrej Palat drew the lone assist.
Columbus drew four-minute power play late in the first period when Holtz was called for high-sticking, but the Blue Jackets continued to struggle on the man-advantage, and couldn't capitalize.
But Robinson would score his first goal and point of the season at 19:23, beating Devils netminder Akira Schmid on a breakaway. The 28-year-old forward, who played for Princeton and is a New Jersey native, beat Schmid glove side to bury the puck into the back of the net. Justin Danforth and Erik Gudbranson assisted.
The Devils got a chance to even things up at 12:58 in the second with a power play opportunity. But Merzlikins managed to shut down the league's top power play.
New Jersey had another man-advantage in the final period, when Columbus was assessed a bench minor at 3:26. But Merzlikins would make acrobatic saves on both Jack Hughes and Luke Hughes.
“I’m going out there to have fun and do well my job," Merzlikins said. “I was reading the game well and my defensemen were cleaning the vision for me, so that was perfect.”
Schmid made 26 saves in the losing effort. He had a key save on a breakaway by Gaudreau midway through the third.
The Blue Jackets will be on the road Sunday against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Columbus 2 0 0 — 2
New Jersey 1 0 0 — 1
First Period
CBJ—Boone Jenner (11) Assists: Johnny Gaudreau (7), 10:04
NJD—Alexander Holtz (5) Assists: Ondrej Palat (7), 13:15.
CBJ—Eric Robinson (1) Assists: Justin Danforth (4), Erik Gudbranson (7), 19:23.
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