Max Jones’ late breakaway goal put the Anaheim Ducks ahead for good in a wild 7–4 win over the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday.
Anaheim gave away the lead four times, resulting in a 4–4 tie nearing the end of regulation. At 17:23 of the third period, Jones intercepted an Andrew Peeke pass attempt and raced down the ice. He finished his individual effort with a backhand shot for the game-winner.
The Ducks (23–36–10, 56 points) then added two empty-net goals.
Anaheim has earned points in nine of its last 11 games (6–2–3).
Scott Harrington had two goals, Troy Terry and Ryan Strome each had a goal and an assist, and Simon Benoit had two assists. Trevor Zegras and Max Comtois scored Anaheim’s other goals.
Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal withstood a lot of pressure from the Blue Jackets, stopping 38 of 42 shots.
Patrik Laine had a goal and an assist for Columbus (21–40–7, 49 points). Cole Sillinger, Boone Jenner, and Nick Blankenburg also scored.
The Blue Jackets are 1–5–1 over their last seven games.
Despite their continual comeback attempts and a 42–38 shots advantage, the Blue Jackets could never take the lead.
The back-and-forth action included highlight-reel goals from each team early in the third period.
At the 2:25 mark, Mason McTavish sent a tremendous cross-ice pass to a wide open Colton White in the circle, and White then quickly passed to Terry in front for the goal.
During a Blue Jackets power play at 6:43 of the third period, Laine took the puck in his own end and raced down the center of the ice, retaining possession amid multiple defenders and scoring.
The Jackets were 2-for-4 on the power play Friday, and have scored at least one power-play goal in seven of their last eight games. Columbus is 9-for-21 with the extra attacker over that eight-game stretch.
Michael Hutchinson stopped 31 of 36 shots.
