Columbus Blue Jackets @ Anaheim Ducks
Ducks end four-game skid with 4-2 victory over Blue Jackets in John Gibson's return
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- — John Gibson made 38 saves, Brett Leason and Jackson LaCombe each scored their first goals of the season and the Anaheim Ducks ended a four-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday night.
Gibson made his season debut after having an emergency appendectomy in September.
The Ducks got off to a fast start when Leason scored 3:13 into the game off a feed from Cutter Gauthier.
Columbus tied it late in the first period when Yegor Chinakhov scored his fourth goal of the season. Anaheim grabbed a 2-1 lead at 4:22 of the second period when LaCombe converted off a loose puck.
Leo Carlsson scored for the Ducks with 9:40 left in the game, but the Blue Jackets moved back within a goal on a shot from the slot by Kirill Marchenko with 3:03 left.
Isac Lundestrom scored into an empty net to put the game away.
Blue Jackets: Jack Johnson played in his 1,200th career NHL game, while Zach Werenski became the fourth defenseman to play in 500 career games with Columbus. Werenski assisted Chinakhov's goal
Ducks: The veteran Gibson showed little rust in his season debut, starting off with a win. Gibson is in his 12th season with Anaheim and last had a winning record in the 2018-19 season.
The Ducks took the lead for good early in the second period after LaCombe scored a rebound off the stick of teammate Troy Terry.
The Ducks were giving up an average of four goals per game during their four-game losing streak before they delivered a much-needed standout defensive performance.
Columbus plays at Seattle on Tuesday, while the Ducks are home against the Golden Knights on Wednesday.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Regular Season Series
ANA leads 1-0
Game Information
- Referees:
- Trevor Hanson
- Mike Sullivan
- Linesmen:
- Brandon Gawryletz
- Kilian McNamara
2025-26 Metropolitan Division Standings
| Team | W | L | OTL | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carolina | 53 | 22 | 7 | 113 |
| Pittsburgh | 41 | 25 | 16 | 98 |
| Philadelphia | 43 | 27 | 12 | 98 |
| Washington | 43 | 30 | 9 | 95 |
| Columbus | 40 | 30 | 12 | 92 |
| NY Islanders | 43 | 34 | 5 | 91 |
| New Jersey | 42 | 37 | 3 | 87 |
| NY Rangers | 34 | 39 | 9 | 77 |

