Blue Jackets' offensive struggles continue in 3-1 loss to Sharks
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- Kevin Labanc had a goal and an assist, and Martin Jones stopped 28 shots to lift the San Jose Sharks to a 3-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night.
The Sharks' first two goals came on power plays, with Labanc getting a wide-open look at the net with a 5-on-3 advantage in the second period. Logan Couture and Marc-Edouard Vlasic also scored for San Jose, which snapped a four-game losing streak.
Sergei Bobrovsky had 25 saves for the Blue Jackets, who have lost two in a row and five of their last seven. Boone Jenner had the lone goal as Columbus continues to struggle offensively.
Couture scored 5:07 into the game with the Blue Jackets' Matt Calvert in the penalty box for tripping. Couture got his 22nd goal of the season when he snapped a shot from the high slot over the glove of Bobrovsky, who was shielded by 6-foot-5 defenseman Brent Burns.
Jenner tied the score 4:30 into the second period with his fifth goal of the season and first in 13 games. He rifled a shot from the top of the left circle over Jones' shoulder and off the bar.
Columbus was victimized on another power play at 10:20 in the second when Labanc scored from 15 feet out while Seth Jones and Nick Foligno served penalties. Foligno, the Blue Jackets' captain, was benched after that goal.
Vlasic got the insurance tally when he beat Bobrovsky with a backhand 6:51 into the final period.
NOTES: San Jose is 19-0-1 when leading after two periods. ... Couture left the game in the third period after getting hit in the face with the puck. ... Sharks F Tomas Hertl played in his 300th NHL game. ... Blue Jackets F Lukas Sedlak played in his 100th game. ... Columbus recalled F Markus Hannikainen from Cleveland (AHL) on Friday, but he was a scratch for the game, along with D Scott Harrington. ... Forwards Jannick Hansen and Marcus Sorensen, and D Tim Heed were scratched for the Sharks.
UP NEXT
San Jose: Plays at Carolina on Sunday.
Columbus: Plays at New York Islanders on Saturday in first of five straight games against Metropolitan Division opponents.
