Fast Start Powers Devils to 5-3 Win Over Columbus

Published: Tuesday, March 11, 2025

by Patrick Corsello

NEWARK, N.J. — The New Jersey Devils (35-25-6) defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets (31-25-8), 5-3, on Tuesday night in a pivotal game in the Metropolitan Division standings for both teams.

The Devils got the puck on net early, but Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins was strong in goal. With just under 14 minutes remaining in the first period, Columbus defenseman Dante Fabbro went to the box for tripping, giving the Devils their first power play of the night.

It didn’t take long for the Devils to connect, as Nico Hischier scored his 27th goal of the season — and 11th on the power play — to give New Jersey a 1-0 lead.

The Devils appeared to have momentum until Paul Cotter went to the penalty box for holding with just over 11 minutes remaining in the period, giving the Blue Jackets a chance to quickly respond.

Unfortunately for Columbus, it couldn’t generate much offense on the power play, and the Devils escaped the two minutes unscathed — adding salt to the wound when Paul Cotter jumped out of the box and almost immediately slipped the puck through Merzlikins’ legs to give New Jersey a 2-0 lead.

Just before the final minute of the period, Jesper Bratt corralled the puck and fired a shot past Merzlikins to give New Jersey a 3-0 lead.

The period ended shortly after, and it was all Devils heading into the second with a three-goal advantage.

As the second period got underway, the Devils looked to keep the pressure on Columbus. Within the first few minutes, New Jersey put multiple shots on net, keeping the Blue Jackets on their heels. That changed when Mathieu Olivier ripped one past Jacob Markstrom to cut the Devils' lead to two.

Just like that, the momentum was firmly in the hands of the Blue Jackets. With 12 minutes remaining in the second period, Kirill “The Thrill” Marchenko raced in on his backhand and slipped one through the legs of Markstrom to make it a 3-2 game.

The Devils played a completely different game than they did in the first period. Sloppy turnovers led to several chances for Columbus to get on the board.

It was spiraling out of control for New Jersey with 8:33 remaining, when Nico Hischier went to the box for tripping, giving the Blue Jackets a chance to tie the game. The Devils killed off the penalty, as the power play was cut short when Yegor Chinakhov was penalized for hooking.

Although the Devils were unable to capitalize on their brief power play, Timo Meier scored late in the period to extend New Jersey’s lead back to two goals.

New Jersey held a 4-2 lead heading into the third period, looking to put away a pesky Columbus team.

The Devils came out hot in the third period, as Luke Hughes scored in the first minute to give New Jersey a 5-2 lead.

A little more than halfway through the period, the Jackets got on the board, cutting the New Jersey lead to 5-3 as Mathieu Olivier scored his second goal of the game.

Despite a strong effort by Columbus, the Devils held on to earn two points.

The Devils will be back in action at home Thursday against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers, with puck drop scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Patrick Corsello is an Assistant Music Director at WSOU 89.5 FM and can be reached at patrick.corsello@student.shu.edu. 

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