Senators 4, Blue Jackets 1
Defenseman Erik Karlsson scored twice to extend his point streak to five contests as visiting Ottawa snapped a five-game winless skid.
Clarke MacArthur and Chris Neil also tallied for the Senators, who had not won since Oct. 23 and lost their last two games in a shootout. Robin Lehner made 32 saves for his first victory of the season.
R.J. Umberger scored his first goal in six games but Columbus stumbled to its fourth consecutive contest. Backup goaltender Curtis McElhinney stopped 20 shots in his third start.
Karlsson opened the scoring 14:51 into the game with a quick wrist shot that confused McElhinney before MacArthur extended Ottawa’s advantage with four seconds remaining in the first period.
Umberger pulled the Blue Jackets within one goal 3:02 into the third period with Karlsson serving a slashing penalty, but Neil restored the two-goal lead 10:53 later with a wrist shot from the slot. Karlsson added an empty-net goal to put the game out of reach.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Lehner was starting in place of injured Ottawa G Craig Anderson, who is day-to-day with a stiff neck. … Karlsson leads all defensemen with 17 points. … Blue Jackets RW Marian Gaborik finished minus-2 as he was held off the scoresheet for a fourth consecutive game.