Blackhawks stage late rally, jolt Jackets in shootout

[December 30, 2019]  Dylan Strome and Erik Gustafsson each scored in the third period as the visiting Chicago Blackhawks rallied from a two-goal deficit on Sunday to record a 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have earned a point in 10 straight contests.

Chicago halved its deficit on a goal from Strome at 7:33 into the third period. The Blackhawks tied the game on their fourth power-play chance of the game, courtesy of Gustafsson's blast with 2:02 left in regulation.

Robin Lehner made 31 saves while captain Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane scored in the shootout as Chicago won for the fourth time in five games and its third straight on the road.

Riley Nash and Pierre-Luc Dubois scored in the first period for Columbus, which should be frustrated with the result despite being 6-0-4 in its last 10.

Perhaps more concerning for the Blue Jackets, they lost Joonas Korpisalo (28 saves). The workhourse goaltender, who was in net for all 17 over their victories, sustained an apparent injury after allowing Toews' shootout goal.

Elvis Merzlikins replaced him and permitted Kane's goal.

Columbus thought it had won in overtime, but defenseman Zach Werenski's shot that was initially credited a goal as time expired was washed out following review.

Nash got the Jackets' on the board 6:54 into the first period. His third goal came while skating across the Chicago blue line and ripping a shot that changed direction once it hit the skate of Blackhawks defenseman Slater Koekkoek and past Lehner.

The puck squirts free after a goal mouth scramble between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

The Blue Jackets made it 2-0 with 1:20 left in the period after they took advantage of a Chicago turnover. Captain Nick Foligno delivered a back-handed pass through the slot onto the stick of Dubois, who drove it past Lehner for his team-leading 13th of the season.

Dubois has three goals and nine points over the last eight games. He's also scored in three consecutive contests versus Chicago.

The Blackhawks had just 12 of their 30 shots on goal on through the first two periods before showing life in the final 20 minutes. Strome deflected Connor Murphy's shot between the pads of Korpisalo early in the period and Gustafsson stunned the Columbus crowd late by converting Chicago's first power-play goal since Dec. 19.

--Field Level Media

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