COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Rick Nash scored in his NHL debut and Mike Sillinger snapped a tie late in the second period with a power-play tally Thursday night to lead the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 2-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in the season opener for both teams.
Selected first overall in June, Nash backhanded the rebound of a shot by Sillinger between the pads of goaltender Jocelyn Thibault at 7:35 of the second period to tie it at 1-1.
Nash was signed to a three-year contract Monday, hours before the deadline that would have landed him back with his junior team for the season.
The news was not all good for Columbus as Nash suffered an apparent leg injury midway through the third period and did not return.
Sillinger deposited a rebound from low in the left faceoff circle past Thibault with 2:57 remaining in the second to put the Blue Jackets ahead. They held on for the first opening night victory in their three-year existence.
Handed the starting goaltending job with the trade of veteran Ron Tugnutt in the offseason, Marc Denis turned away 31 shots to post the win.
