The Columbus Blue Jackets gained momentum with goals from Denton Matejczuk (6), Sean Monaghan (4,5), Charlie Coyle (4), and Miles Wood (7), helping them secure a 5-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Monday night. Despite Elvis Merzlikins making 30 saves on 33 shots for the Devils, the Blue Jackets overpowered them with strong plays.
The game resembled a mixed martial arts fight more than a hockey match, with four games played and 63 penalty minutes. Jonas Siegenthaler was ejected after his jersey came off during a fight with Adam Fantilli, which resulted in a match violation and an unusual penalty.
Though the match was rough, the Blue Jackets performed well on the road, backed by Merzlikins’ strong goalkeeping. Zach Werenski highlighted the team’s unity, saying, “Everything that unfolded tonight was just us supporting each other and having each other’s backs,” emphasizing the importance of teamwork for the long season. John Davidson called it “a big win for this hockey club.”
Early on, the game didn’t favor the Blue Jackets. Zach Werenski received a hooking penalty just 40 seconds in, leading to a power play for the Devils. Nico Hischier took a shot, blocked by Ivan Provorov, but the Devils scored twice after a costly turnover by Columbus’s Luca Pinelli, giving New Jersey a 2-0 lead. Matejczuk scored a power-play goal for the Blue Jackets during the second period with assists from Kent Johnson, Ivan Provorov, and Charlie Coyle.
A disputed goal by Timo Meier was overturned due to goalie interference after a challenge by Dean Evason. The first period ended with the Devils ahead 2-1, but Columbus had over a minute of power play at the start of the second.
The second period saw intense physicality, including fights between Dmitri Voronkov and Stefan Noesen, and multiple altercations involving Sean Monahan, Paul Cotter, Damon Severson, and Timo Meier. Sean Monahan scored his fourth goal of the year, assisted by Cole Schilling and Zach Werenski, evening the score at 2-2.
The third period began unusually calm, but Charlie Coyle scored to break the tie at 6:40, followed 33 seconds later by Monahan’s second goal, giving the Jackets a two-point lead. Timo Meier narrowed the gap with a power-play goal for the Devils, but former Devil Miles Wood sealed the game for Columbus with a wrist shot, finalizing the score at 5-3.
Notable player stats include Matejczuk scoring his sixth goal, Monaghan adding two goals and a strong faceoff win percentage, and Miles Wood scoring his seventh goal plus an assist. The Jackets’ power play conversion rate stands at 1/3, and they won 62.3% of faceoffs while blocking 11 shots and limiting Devils’ power-play opportunities.
Next, the Jackets face the Detroit Red Wings at Nationwide Arena on Thursday.
Fan Take: This thrilling and physical game demonstrates the Blue Jackets’ resilience and fortitude on the road, qualities every hockey fan loves to see. It highlights a promising season ahead and the intensity that keeps the sport exciting for both players and spectators.
