Patrick Laine scored on Columbus’ first shot, and the Blue Jackets snapped a three-game losing streak by defeating Columbus. calgary flames 3-1 on Friday night.
The game marked the first time johnny goudreau Since signing a contract with the Blue Jackets in the offseason, he played against the Flames.
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Johnny Goudreau of the Columbus Blue Jackets drives the puck across the blue line to Elias Lindholm of the Calgary Flames during the second period of an NHL hockey game on Friday, December 9, 2022 in Columbus, Ohio.
(AP Photo/Jay LaPrette)
Goudreau spent nine years with Calgary, skating with 609 points (210–399) in 602 games.
Friday night also marked defenseman Erik Gudbranson’s first game against the Flames since leaving Calgary in the off-season.
Read more: ‘To Calgary’: Johnny Goudreau writes letter to Flames fans
Eric Robinson and Sean Kurali also scored to help Columbus end a six-game losing streak at home. Joonas Korpisalo stopped 12 shots in the first round before suffering a lower body injury. He was replaced in the second by Elvis Merzlikins, who stopped 21 shots.
“We got off to a good start and that helped,” said Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen. “You get a goal in the beginning, you get a goal out there and breathe. We had good energy.
“It was a part of a game by a lot of people – a really good effort all the way.”
Michael Stone scored for Calgary and Jakob Markstrom stopped 23 shots in his first start after sitting out three games. The Flames won three games in a row.
Lane opened the scoring at 1:02 of the first period, and Robinson made it 2–0 on a breakaway at 2:52 of the second.
“I could have had four or five tonight,” said Lane. “We were very pleased with the way the offense was going. All four lines played well attacking and defending.”
Playing with an extra skater, Stone cut the lead in half with a shot from the blue line with 2:34 remaining in the third. Kurali sealed it, scoring an empty-netter with 24 seconds remaining.
Calgary coach Daryl Sutter said, “I think our defense fought mightily with the puck and coverage for the entire game.”
“Some people came to hang out, not try to win a hockey game. Very disappointed.”
Columbus and Calgary committed a combined 13 penalties, six for Columbus and seven for Calgary, but both were fouled on the power play.
Read more: The Calgary Flames overcame a bad start to earn a 5-3 win over the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday
The Flames will play against the Maple Leafs in Toronto on Saturday night.
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