Blue Jackets 4, Blackhawks 3
Matt Calvert recorded a goal and an assist and Antoine Vermette scored his 14th goal as the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets came from behind to take down the Chicago Blackhawks, 4-3, on Friday.
Derek MacKenzie and Anton Stralman each added a goal and R.J. Umberger collected two assists for the Blue Jackets, who pulled even with the Blackhawks in the Western Conference at 64 points, four points behind a group of four teams that occupying spots six thru nine in the West.
Chicago built a 2-1 lead in the first period as Patrick Sharp punched in his 29th and 30th goals.
Columbus tied it at 2-2 at the 9:38 mark in the second when Vermette made the Blackhawks pay for an interference penalty with a power-play tally. MacKenzie beat Corey Crawford just under three minutes later, tipping in Calvert’s shot to make it 3-2 in favor of the Blue Jackets.
Stralman’s first goal of the season came on the power play at the 15:32 mark, giving Columbus an insurance goal that would prove important 21 seconds later when Patrick Kane’s snap shot pulled the Blackhawks back within 4-3.
Steve Mason stopped 37 shots for the Blue Jackets.