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Korpisalo makes 31 stops, Blue Jackets beat Blackhawks 2-1

By AP reporter
Published  January 29, 2021 10:03pm CST
Blackhawks
Associated Press

CHICAGO - Joonas Korpisalo made 31 saves and Oliver Bjorkstrand had a goal and an assist, sending the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night.

Eric Robinson also scored for Columbus. The Blue Jackets held on in the final part of third period after a 3-2 shootout victory over Florida on Thursday night.

Korpisalo stepped up as Chicago pushed for the tying goal, denying Patrick Kane in front about seven minutes into the third. He also caught a break when Carl Soderberg’s shot through the goaltender’s legs was just wide with a couple minutes left.

Dylan Strome scored for Chicago, and Kevin Lankinen made 25 stops. The Blackhawks had recorded at least one point in five straight games.

The Blue Jackets jumped in front on Bjorkstrand’s power-play goal 8:53 into the first period. Mattias Janmark had a chance to clear the puck out for Chicago, but Columbus kept it in and Cam Atkinson found Bjorkstrand in the left circle for a one-timer.

The Blackhawks pushed for the tying goal early in the second, but Strome had a wraparound attempt knocked away by Blue Jackets defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov.

After Chicago had an extended stay in Columbus’ zone, the Blue Jackets got it out and Robinson skated out on a breakaway. He beat Lankinen on the glove side for his second goal of the season and a 2-0 lead at 3:39.

Bjorkstrand got the only assist on the play. He has three goals and five assists in his last seven games. He almost picked up another goal in the third, but Lankinen used his glove to push away his shot from right in front.

Chicago got on the board when Kane found Strome in the slot for the center’s third goal, making it 2-1 midway through the second. The connection gave the Blackhawks at least one power-play goal in eight of their nine games this season.

Columbus forward Jack Roslovic played 14 minutes on his 24th birthday. The Columbus native was acquired in a blockbuster trade with Winnipeg last week that also moved Patrik Laine to the Blue Jackets in exchange for Pierre Luc-Dubois and a third-round draft pick.

UP NEXT

The teams play again Sunday night. Then Columbus opens a four-game homestand against Dallas on Tuesday night, and Chicago hosts Carolina on Tuesday night.