Columbus Blue Jackets extend points streak with win over Blackhawks
- The Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 6-3, extending their points streak to six games.
- Sean Monahan contributed significantly with a goal and an assist, while Kent Johnson continued his strong performance with a goal, maintaining a nine-game points streak.
- Despite the loss, the Blackhawks managed three power-play goals but remain at the bottom of the NHL standings.
On Sunday, December 1, 2024, the Columbus Blue Jackets faced off against the Chicago Blackhawks in an exciting NHL match in Chicago. The Blue Jackets, buoyed by a strong performance from Sean Monahan, managed to secure a 6-3 victory, marking their sixth consecutive game with points. Monahan not only scored a goal but also provided an assist, contributing significantly to the team's overall performance. Kent Johnson continued his impressive form by scoring for the second consecutive game, pushing his points streak to nine games. This victory showcased the Blue Jackets' offensive prowess, with Ivan Provorov, Dante Fabbro, Kirill Marchenko, and Dmitri Voronkov also scoring, creating a well-rounded attack against the Blackhawks. The Blackhawks, despite their weaker showing, managed to score three power-play goals, with Connor Bedard, who had been experiencing a goal drought, netting one of those and adding an assist. Chicago's season has been challenging, with their record standing at 8-14-2, placing them at the bottom of the NHL standings. This loss marked their second consecutive defeat, as the team continues to struggle in finding consistency this season. The match had pivotal moments, especially when teams exchanged leads. The Blackhawks initially scored with Bedard's goal, but Columbus quickly leveled with Provorov's response just over a minute later. The Blue Jackets managed to regain the lead shortly after the Blackhawks tied the game again, demonstrating their resilience and ability to respond to pressure. Elvis Merzlikins, in goal for Columbus, made 28 saves, showcasing his reliability and helping secure the win. Meanwhile, Petr Mrazek, the Blackhawks' goaltender, blocked 30 shots, though he could not prevent the offensive flood coming from Columbus. Kent Johnson's return to form has been notable, given his layoff due to shoulder surgery. He has quickly integrated back into the lineup, producing four goals and three assists over five games since his return. This resilience provides the Blue Jackets with a crucial edge as they look to maintain momentum during their upcoming match against the Calgary Flames, scheduled for Tuesday. Conversely, the Chicago Blackhawks face the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday as they aim to turn their season around and get back to winning ways.