NHL: St. Louis 4, Columbus 1

• Tweet

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Jan. 31 (UPI) -- Barret Jackman touched off a three-goal St. Louis first period Thursday that sent the Blues to a 4-1 decision over Columbus.

St. Louis has opened the season with a 6-1 record, its best mark to begin a campaign in 15 years.

Jackman scored just 2:19 into the contest and both Patrik Berglund and Vladimir Tarasenko delivered goals in the opening period.

The only goal allowed by Brian Elliott came from Derick Brassard on the power play in the middle period and David Backes added an empty-net tally for the Blues with 21 seconds left in the contest.

Elliott made 24 saves.

Columbus, a winner just twice in eight outings, began a six-game homestand. Sergei Bobrovsky opened in goal for the Blue Jackets, but was removed after giving up three goals on 11 shots. Steve Mason turned aside all 13 shots he saw in relief.