COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Branden Hagel had a goal and two assists, Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 32 shots, and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-2 Saturday night to snap a two-game skid.
Nicholas Paul had a goal and an assist, and Anthony Cirelli and Steven Stamkos also scored for Tampa, now third in the Atlantic Division. Hagel’s three-point effort gives him 10 points in a six-game streak.
Boone Jenner scored twice in the third period to get Columbus within a goal, both with assists from Johnny Gaudreau. Elvis Merzlikins had 33 saves for the Blue Jackets, who have now lost two straight at home and three of their last four games, and sit last in the Metropolitan Division.
Despite an early barrage of shots from Columbus, Tampa got on the board first when Paul scored his seventh power-play goal of the season with 4:20 remaining in the first during a double-minor, the result of Kent Johnson’s high-sticking penalty.
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Tampa Bay Lightning center Brayden Point (21) carries the puck past Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Erik Gudbranson (44) in the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) -
Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) blocks a shot by Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Justin Danforth (17) in the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. Tampa Bay defenseman Nick Perbix (48) is at left. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) -
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) blocks a shot in front of defenseman Zach Werenski, center, and Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos, right, in the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) -
Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Nicholas Paul (20) skates in on Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, left, in front of defenseman Jake Bean (22) and right wing Justin Danforth (17) in the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) -
Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Nicholas Paul (20) celebrates his goal with teammates in the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) -
Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Dmitri Voronkov, left, and Tampa Bay Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) and center Alex Barre-Boulet (12) reach for the puck in the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) -
Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Haydn Fleury (7) moves in to clear the puck from behind goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) in the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) -
Tampa Bay Lightning center Tyler Motte (64) and Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) reach for the puck in front of goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, rear, in the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki) -
Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) scores past Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins, left, in the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Feb. 10, 2024, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Cirelli’s breakaway 49 seconds into the second period made it 2-0 before Stamkos’ one-timer 23 seconds into the third period. Nikita Kucherov had an assist to extend his point streak to seven games.
Jenner made it 3-1 with 7:38 left in the third, shooting a laser from the right circle, for his first goal since Dec. 3 and 14th of the season. Jenner, who missed 15 games with a broken jaw, is coming off his first All-Star appearance.
Jenner’s second score at 15:59 of the third pulled Columbus within a goal but it would get no closer.
Hagel’s empty-netter came with 48 seconds left to seal the win.
The Lightning play at Boston on Tuesday night.
