COLUMBUS, Ohio, Dec. 10 (UPI) -- David Vyborny scored the go-ahead goal 8:51 into the second period Sunday night, helping the Columbus Blue Jackets end a five-game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the New Jersey Devils.
New Jersey entered Monday night's game with a four-game unbeaten streak, its defense having played a big role. The Devils had allowed just three goals and had held opponents to 17 shots or fewer in four of the last five games.
But the first breakdown set the tone for one of New Jersey's worst defeats of the season as Espen Knutsen put the Blue Jackets up, 1-0, with his third goal of the season 4:25 into the second period.
Scott Stevens was unable to control the puck and Mike Sillinger stole it. He fed Knutsen, who put a shot through goaltender Martin Brodeur from the right faceoff circle.
Knutsen's goal ended the Jackets' scoreless drought at 219 minutes, 46 seconds. Columbus, which entered with the lowest total (54) in the NHL, had not scored since Tyler Wright's goal in the third period of a 4-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Dec. 1.
After Scott Niedermayer's fourth goal at 12:40 of the period evened the game, the Devils again had an uncharachtersitic breakdown just 51 seconds later.
Jamie Pushor stole the puck at the blue line and made a cross-ice pass to Vyborny, who skated past Tommy Albelin and Jay Pandolfo before beating Brodeur on the left side.
