Overview

• Timo Meier and Dawson Mercer scored in the final seconds of power plays, and Mercer added an empty-netter, to lift New Jersey past Columbus 3-2 at Nationwide Arena.
• Devils starter Jake Allen left after two periods with cramping in his season debut, and Jacob Markstrom closed the win with eight saves in the third.
• The Blue Jackets went 0-for-5 on the power play and are 1-for-9 on the season, while their penalty kill has yielded seven goals through three games.
• Kirill Marchenko scored again on a breakaway, giving him four goals in three games as he drives Columbus’ top line early.
• Head coach Dean Evason praised the team’s five-on-five defending but lamented late breakdowns on the penalty kill, noting both Devils power-play goals came in the dying seconds of penalties.