Blue Jackets Beat Maple Leafs 5-1
Adam Fantilli scored his first career hat trick as the Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-1 on Wednesday night. Luca Del Bel Belluz contributed with a goal and an assist, while James van Riemsdyk also scored for Columbus, who have now won seven of their last nine games (7-1-1).
Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins was outstanding, stopping 28 shots for the Blue Jackets, who are 1-1-1 on their current four-game road trip. Auston Matthews scored for the Maple Leafs, and Dennis Hildeby made 14 saves. The loss ended Toronto’s three-game winning streak.
Kings Rally to Beat Panthers 2-1
Adrian Kempe scored the game-winning goal as the Los Angeles Kings came back in the third period to beat the Florida Panthers 2-1. Samuel Helenius scored his first NHL goal, and Darcy Kuemper made 27 saves. The Kings ended a two-game losing streak with the win.
Evan Rodrigues scored for the Panthers, who lost for just the second time this season when leading after two periods (18-2-0). Florida goalie Spencer Knight stopped 26 shots in the loss.
Devils Cruise Past Bruins 5-1
Dawson Mercer scored two goals, including one in each period, to help the New Jersey Devils beat the Boston Bruins 5-1 in Newark, N.J. Mercer’s two goals were part of a four-goal second period for the Devils.
Nico Hischier had a goal and two assists, while Dougie Hamilton (one goal, one assist) and Timo Meier (two assists) also contributed with multiple points. Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom was injured during a second-period collision and did not return. Jake Allen stepped in, stopping all 16 shots he faced. Morgan Geekie scored for the Bruins.
Jets Edge Avalanche 3-2 in Overtime
Neal Pionk scored just 17 seconds into overtime, and Connor Hellebuyck made 25 saves to help the Winnipeg Jets beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 in Denver.
Morgan Barron and Gabriel Vilardi also scored for the Jets, who won the season series 3-1-0. Josh Morrissey and Vladislav Namestnikov each had two assists. Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar scored for Colorado, with Jonathan Drouin earning two assists. Blackwood made 22 saves for the Avalanche, who are 1-2-1 in their last four games.
