(Columbus) The Columbus Blue Jackets extended their winning streak to three with a 4-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche with three goals in the third period.
Oliver Bjorkstrand scored in an empty net with 30 seconds left in the game to seal the victory for the Blue Jackets. Barely 32 seconds earlier, Cole Sillinger had given the locals the lead while his teammate Alexandre Texier had brought the two teams back to equality a few minutes earlier.
Elvis Merzlikins made 33 saves and even offered himself an assist with his fifth win of the season.
Andre Burakovsky scored two goals for the Avalanche and goalkeeper Darcy Kuemper blocked 38 shots.
It was the Avalanche who dominated in puck possession, but it was the Blue Jackets who struck the first at 11:44 of the first period. Jakub Voracek won his battle alongside the board and handed the puck to Gabriel Carlsson who was rushing to the net. It was a first goal for Carlsson this season.
For Voracek, it was a 10e assists this season and a fifth in three games. Yegor Chinakhov also collected his first-ever point in his career with the other assist.
Burakovsky, returning to the game after missing the last game of the Avalanche, tied the game with a receiving shot before the end of the period. Kadri collected a point in a fourth straight game on the game.
Burakosvsky then increased the score to 2-1 in the second period as he beat Merzlikins with a backhand shot over the right shoulder.
The Blue Jackets, however, had not said their last word and it was in the third period that they opened the floodgates.
With this victory, the Blue Jackets (7-3-0) equal their best start to the season after ten games.