Patrik Laine scored on Columbus’ first shot and the Blue Jackets snapped a three-game losing streak and beat the Calgary Flames 3-1 on Friday night.
Eric Robinson and Sean Kuraly also scored to help Columbus end a six-game home losing streak.
READ MORE: Johnny Gaudreau leaves Calgary for Columbus as star forward signs with Blue Jackets
Joonas Korpisalo stopped 12 shots in the first period before suffering a lower body injury. He was replaced in the second by Elvis Merzlikins, who stopped 21 shots.
Michael Stone scored for Calgary and Jacob Markstrom stopped 23 shots in his first start after sitting out three games. The Flames have won three in a row.
READ MORE: Calgary Flames overcame rough start to win 5-3 over Minnesota Wild on Wednesday
Laine opened the scoring at 1:02 of the first period and Robinson made it 2-0 on a layup at 2:52 of the second.
With an extra skater, Stone cut the lead in half with 2:34 left in the third with a shot from the blue line. Kuraly sealed it, scoring an empty netter with 24 seconds left.
READ MORE: ‘To Calgary’: Johnny Gaudreau writes letter to Flames fans
The game marked the first time Johnny Gaudreau played against the Flames since signing a contract with the Blue Jackets in the offseason.
Columbus Blue Jackets’ Johnny Gaudreau, right, carries the puck over the blue line past Calgary Flames’ Elias Lindholm during the second period of an NHL hockey game Friday, Dec. 9, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio.
(AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
More to come…
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