Werenski lifts Blue Jackets over Blues in OT

[November 16, 2019]    Zach Werenski scored an overtime power-play goal to lead the Columbus Blue Jackets past the visiting St. Louis Blues 3-2 on Friday night.

Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) celebrates scoring the game winning goal against the St. Louis Blues in the overtime period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

The Blue Jackets, who also got goals from Vladislav Gavrikov and Pierre-Luc Dubois, won for just the second time in nine games (2-5-2). Joonas Korpisalo made 25 saves for the victory.

The Blues extended their points streak to nine games (7-0-2). They have lost just three times in regulation during the first 20 games of the season.

Brayden Schenn and Mackenzie MacEachern scored for the Blues, and Jake Allen stopped 36 of 39 shots.

Oliver Bjorkstrand's tripping penalty on Jaden Schwartz gave their Blues a power play 36 seconds into overtime. However, the visitors failed to capitalize, then gave the Blue Jackets a power play with a too-many-men penalty at 2:03.

Werenski made St. Louis pay, extending his goal-scoring streak to three games at 3:34 of the extra session. He has six goals on the season.

Gavrikov scored his first NHL goal to put the Blue Jackets up 1-0 midway through the first period. He slipped in from the left point for a deft weak-side conversion on his backhand.

The Blues countered with some strong forechecking by their fourth line. MacEachern tied the game 1-1 in the final minute of the opening period with a wraparound goal.

Schenn's power-play conversion put the Blues up 2-1 midway through the second period. With a good second effort down low, Schwartz slid a cross-ice pass to Schenn, who poked the puck past Korpisalo.

Schenn snapped his five-game goal-scoring drought by netting his 11th of the season.

However, Dubois tied the game 2-2 less than three minutes into the third period. He walked in from the right circle for a point-blank shot and then converted a rebound for his first goal in six games and his seventh of the season.

Allen robbed Alexander Wennberg and Dubois on point-blank shots as the Blue Jackets cranked up more offensive zone pressure midway through the third.

At the other end, Korpisalo made a nice glove save on Schwartz's snap shot to help send the game into overtime.

--Field Level Media

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