Condon stymies Blue Jackets in Senators' win
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Kyle Turris and Ryan Dzingel each scored a goal and the Ottawa Senators neutralized the Columbus Blue Jackets behind the goaltending of Mike Condon for a 2-0 victory on Thursday night at Nationwide Arena.
The Blue Jackets (30-10-4) lost for just the third time in regulation in their past 21 home games.
Columbus could not get the puck past Condon (12-7-3), who stopped several point-blank chances by the Blue Jackets in the third period and weathered a five-on-three power play late in the game. He finished with 42 saves.
Turris' goal came in the first period and Dzingel scored his ninth goal of the season in the second.
The Senators (24-15-4) kept pressure on Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (27-7-2) all night and he managed the keep the game close with multiple outstanding stops. The All-Star had 26 saves.
For the second straight night at home, the Blue Jackets gave up the first goal. Turris skated in on a breakaway and snuck a shot over Bobrovsky's outstretched right leg for his 16th goal of the season.
Unlike in the Blue Jackets' 4-1 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday, Columbus was unable to respond with an answer in the first period despite outshooting the Senators 13-10.
The second period was a defensive standoff until Dzingel tipped in a shot from the right circle by Chris Wideman just after a power play ended at 16:12, boosting the Senators' lead to 2-0.
Bobrovsky kept Ottawa from adding another goal late in the second period, stopping a shot by Dzingel and preventing a rebound attempt by Bobby Ryan from going over the goal line with his left hand.
Neither team was able to convert on the power play through two periods, with the Senators going 0 of 3 and Blue Jackets 0 of 1.
NOTES: Blue Jackets D Zach Werenski sat out Wednesday's practice because of illness, but was in the lineup. He has not missed a game this season. ... Columbus D Marcus Nutivaara missed his second straight game with an undisclosed injury. ... Senators D Fredrik Claesson was active after being scratched in nine of the past 10 games. D Mark Borowiecki was scratched. ... Ottawa G Mike Condon made his 11th straight start. He has played in 20 consecutive games since Dec. 1. G Craig Anderson remains on personal leave to be with his wife Nicholle, who is battling throat cancer. ... The Senators and Blue Jackets met for the first time this season. The teams play again Sunday at Ottawa. ... The Blue Jackets' 30 wins and 64 points through 43 games far surpassed the franchise bests of 21 wins and 47 points at that point in the season. ... Senators C Derek Brassard and D Mark Methot are former Blue Jackets players.