With just over two minutes left in the second period, the Blue Jackets stung again. San Jose turned over the puck in their defensive zone, which led to Columbus’ center Boone Jenner (38) getting a shot from the inside of the right circle that ended up in the Sharks net through the Sharks screen. Sharks goaltender Kaapo Kahkonen (36) can’t make the save with Sharks defenseman Erik Karlsson (65) and the Jackets right winger Emil Bemstrom (52) in front of the net (photo by INDUSATV)

By Daniel Dullum
Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Johnny Gaudreau and Boone Jenner each scored two goals for Columbus Tuesday, leading the Blue Jackets to a 6-5 overtime win over San Jose at SAP Center.

Gaudreau’s second goal of the game, and his 17th of the season, beat Sharks goalie Kaapo Kahkonen at 4:17 of the overtime period. Patrik Laine earned his 25th assist on the game-winner that handed the Sharks their fourth consecutive defeat.

Columbus (22-38-7, 51 points) had a 5-3 lead on Liam Foudy’s goal at 2:20 of the third period. Less than four minutes later, Kevin Labanc scored – from Matt Benning and Fabian Zetterlund – to close the Sharks’ deficit to 5-4.

Nikolai Knyzhov’s first goal of the season – assisted by Logan Couture and Alexander Barabnov – tied the game at 5-5 at 11:20.

San Jose (19-38-7, 51 points) took its only lead of the game at 8:00 of the first period, when Barabanov picked up his 14th goal of the season on a power-play, with assists from Couture and Tomas Hertl. Gaudreau responded with the equalizer for the Blue Jackets at 12:27 of the opening period.

Columbus built a 3-1 lead less than six minutes into the second period on goals by Kent Johnson (at 1:34) and Boone Jenner at 5:28. William Eklund’s first goal of the season pulled the Sharks to within 3-2 at 10:24 before Jenner ‘s 21st goal at 17:17 put the Blue Jackets up 4-2. Gaudreau earned his 44th and 45th assists of the season on Jenner’s goals.

Couture scored one second before the second intermission on assists from Derrick Pouliot and the 65th helper of the year by Erik Karlsson.

Blue Jackets goaltender Daniil Tarasov made 27 saves on 32 San Jose shots. Kahkonen made 42 saves on 48 shots by the Blue Jackets.

The Sharks host the Seattle Kraken on Thursday.