Blue Jackets' rally comes up just short against New Jersey
Monday, October 13, 2025
By Kevin Rouch
krouch@cbussports.com
Kirill Marchenko scored his fourth goal of the season in the Columbus Blue Jackets’ 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils at Nationwide Arena Monday. Photo: Kevin Lam
The Columbus Blue Jackets celebrated the home opener of their 25th season Monday with a party on Nationwide Plaza, culminating in the team’s entry into the arena via a blue carpet. Inside, a sellout crowd of 18,627 awaited the start of the game with the New Jersey Devils.
The Blue Jackets battled from behind to get within a goal with 21 seconds left in the third period, but could not score again and fell to the Devils, 3-2. It was their second loss in three games to begin the season.
As in their first two contests, the Jackets came out with a lot of energy. In the first period, they put 16 shots on goal compared to the Devils’ eight. They also had six minutes of power play time but couldn’t generate any goals in the period. New Jersey, however, converted on their one power play opportunity and led at the first break, 1-0.
At the 8:49 mark of the second period, Kirill Marchenko stole the puck at the Columbus blue line and beat the Devils down the ice to put a shot past goaltender Jake Allen. It was Marchenko’s fourth goal of the season after posting a hat trick in the Jackets’ win at Minnesota Saturday.
Dmitri Voronkov scored with just 21 second left in the Columbus Blue Jackets game with New Jersey Monday at Nationwide Arena, but the Blue Jackets fell 3-2. Photo: Kevin Lam
Just over two minutes later, Dawson Mercer scored his first goal of the season for New Jersey on another power play. There was no more scoring until Mercer added his second goal, an empty netter, with 57 seconds left in the third period to make it 3-1.
Columbus battled back and, 36 seconds later, Dmitri Voronkov pushed a rebound past Devil goalie Jacob Markstrom, who had replaced Allen at the beginning of the third period. But that was was all the Blue Jackets could muster.
Despite stopping 25 of 27 shots, Columbus goaltender Jet Greaves suffered his second loss to begin the season. So far, he has a goals against average of 2.06 per game and a save percentage of .932.
The Blue Jackets host the Colorado Avalanche Thursday at Nationwide Arena with the action beginning at 7:00 p.m. Earlier that day, former Jacket Cam Atkinson will sign a one-day contract with Columbus so that he can retire as a member of the team.
As part of their home opener Monday at Nationwide Arena, the Columbus Blue Jackets were introduced as a team before the game with the New Jersey Devils began. Photo: Kevin Lam