Atkinson, Gagner lead Blue Jackets to 8-4 victory over Blues
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Cam Atkinson recorded a career-high four assists while Sam Gagner scored twice to lead the Columbus Blue Jackets to an 8-4 victory over the St. Louis Blues 8-4 on Saturday before 15,788 at Nationwide Arena.
Nick Foligno added a goal and two assists as Columbus improved to 5-1-1 in its last seven games.
Robby Fabbri, who was a healthy scratch for the first time in his career Thursday, responded with two goals Saturday for St. Louis, which lost its third straight game (0-2-1) while allowing a season high in goals.
Creating turnovers and numerous chances, the Blue Jackets took a 1-0 at 2:34. Gagner brought the puck around from behind the net and scored on a backhand roofer.
The Blues evened the score with a power-play goal 4:01 later from defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk.
Eight seconds later, Foligno restored the Columbus lead. Foligno intercepted a pass and worked a give-and-go with Brandon Saad, who was stationed along the wall at the blue line, before beating Jake Allen from the faceoff dot.
At 15:10, Alexander Wennberg brought the puck across the blue line, pulling up as he awaited reinforcements. Wennberg's shot from the point bounced through Allen's five hole, giving the Blue Jackets a 3-1 lead.
Gagner scored his second of the night with another backhand roofer past Allen, increasing the Blue Jackets lead to 4-1 at 5:18 of the second period, chasing Allen.
Less than 30 seconds later, Columbus' Brandon Dubinsky beat Carter Hutton for his first goal of the season. Midway through the period, Markus Nutivaara scored his first NHL goal to push the Blue Jackets lead to 6-1.
William Karlsson scored at 13:30 to give Columbus a 7-1 lead. Fabbri scored a power-play goal with 4:04 left in the period.
Vladimir Tarasenko scored a power play goal 21 seconds into the third period for the Blues.
Defenseman Zach Werenski made it 8-3, scoring down the middle with a power play goal.
Fabbri netted his second goal of the night, cutting the Blue Jackets lead to 8-4. All of St. Louis' goals came on the power play.
The Blues outshot the Blue Jackets 37-30.
NOTES: The Blues and the Blue Jackets met for the second time in eight days, completing the home-and-home season series. ... The Blues won 2-1 in overtime last Saturday in the first meeting. ... D Robert Bortuzzo (lower body) and Joel Edmundson (upper body) were out for the Blues. ... Injured Blue Jackets who did not play were D Seth Jones (fractured foot) and RW David Clarkson (lower body). ... The Blues scratched RW Ryan Reaves and RW Ty Rattie. The Blue Jackets scratched D Scott Harrington.