Blue Jackets 2, Devils 1 (SO)
Cam Atkinson celebrated his 100th NHL game by scoring the lone goal of the shootout in the third round as visiting Columbus defeated New Jersey for the third time in as many meetings this season.
Atkinson, who also assisted on Artem Anisimov's first-period goal, skated in and wristed the puck between the pads of Martin Brodeur (29 saves) to drop New Jersey to 0-6 in the shootout.
Curtis McElhinney turned aside 16 shots and denied all three shooters in the bonus format for the Blue Jackets, who improved to 3-1-0 on their five-game stretch against Metropolitan Division rivals. They'll host Pittsburgh on Sunday.
Adam Henrique scored for the Devils, who have dropped three of their last four contests (1-1-2).
Columbus opened the scoring 7:34 into the first period as Brodeur denied Brandon Dubinsky with his right pad, but Anisimov alertly spotted the loose puck and backhanded it under the crossbar for his 11th goal. Henrique crashed the net to clean up the rebound of defenseman Marek Zidlicky's shot from along the right-wing boards at 5:45 of the third to forge a 1-1 tie.
GAME NOTEBOOK: With the win, Columbus pulled into the NHL's version of .500 for the first time since the 10th game of the season. ... Atkinson and Dubinsky each recorded four-point performances in the Blue Jackets' 5-4 triumph over the Devils on Dec. 10. ... New Jersey RW Damien Brunner (lower body) was placed on injured reserve - retroactive to Dec. 20. In turn, the Devils activated LW Ryane Clowe (concussion), who played in his first game since Oct. 13.