Panthers 1 - 4 Blue Jackets
Final
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Johansen, Jenner boost Blue Jackets past Panthers

Feb 2, 2014 - 3:27 AM Columbus, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - Ryan Johansen and Boone Jenner both tallied a goal and an assist as the Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Florida Panthers, 4-1, on Saturday.

Mark Letestu and Nick Foligno both lit the lamp and Nathan Horton registered two assists. Sergei Bobrovsky turned aside 36 shots for the Blue Jackets, who won their second straight game.

"They made it tough on us. We needed Bob to make a save and he made a save for us. We played a great game, that's what we need to do moving forward. Guys stepped up," said Johansen.

Brad Boyes scored Florida's lone goal with Brian Campbell and Scottie Upshall picking up the helpers. Tim Thomas allowed all four goals on 30 shots.

The Panthers have lost three straight and four of their last five games.

"I thought our chances were better. We didn't capitalize on our chances. They capitalized on theirs," said Florida head coach Peter Horachek. "Playing from behind, playing catch-up hockey is difficult."

Columbus opened their scoring with 4:27 remaining in the first. Horton and Johansen went in on a 2-on-1. Johansen was patient moving in on net and held onto the puck. Thomas dove out of his crease and gathered the puck with his stick to his glove, but Jenner dug the disc loose and scored on the open net.

Jenner baited Thomas out of his net and sent a slick backhand pass to Johansen at the right side of the net for his 22nd goal of the season with 1:58 left in the opening stanza.

Florida made it a one-goal game 7:41 into the second. Campbell took the puck into the slot and passed to the left circle for Boyes, who wristed a shot on net and past Bobrovsky.

Foligno notched his 13th of the season after firing a shot that slipped under the right arm of Thomas with 2:14 to go in the second.

Letestu made it 4-1 Columbus nearly halfway through the third. Corey Tropp gathered a shot that deflected off the boards and backhanded a pass to Letestu, who finished off the play with his eighth goal of the year.

Game Notes

Columbus defenseman David Savard returned to the lineup after missing the past four games with an illness ... Columbus has won the past six games between the two teams ... Prior to Saturday, the two clubs had not faced each other since March 30, 2012. Columbus also claimed that contest 4-1.






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