Jackets Crush Blackhawks 8-3; Chicago Clinches Playoff Berth Anyway

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Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - Antoine Vermette and Kristian Huselius each scored twice, as the Columbus Blue Jackets demolished the Chicago Blackhawks, 8-3, at Nationwide Arena.

Jakub Voracek had a goal and an assist for the Blue Jackets, who snapped a two-game skid. Mike Blunden, Mike Commodore, and Andrew Murray also lit the lamp for Columbus, which got 38 saves from Steve Mason.

"It was a night that was enjoyable from the standpoint of creating offense and getting some goals," Columbus coach Claude Noel said. "It wasn't an outcome we anticipated. They are a very good team, and we certainly have a lot of respect for them. Their goaltending struggled a bit tonight and that showed in the result of the game."

Tomas Kopecky, Adam Burish, and Kris Versteeg scored for the Blackhawks, who sit atop the West with 99 points. Despite the loss, Chicago clinched a playoff spot after Calgary lost to the Islanders on Thursday.

Cristobal Huet turned aside 20-of-27 shots before being pulled in the second for Antti Niemi, who made four saves in relief.

"Across the board, from the first shift to the end of the game. There is nothing to be excited about. Discount it and throw it in the garbage can," Chicago coach Joel Quenneville said.

The Blue Jackets drew first blood just 32 seconds into the first period. Commodore blasted a one-timer from the top of the right circle that hit off the pad of Huet. Commodore followed up his own shot and fired a wrister from the side of the net to put Columbus on the board.

With 7:52 remaining, Rick Nash slid a pass in front to Huselius, who completed the play with a tip-in for a 2-0 margin.

Chicago cut the deficit to 2-1 when Versteeg's snap shot from the slot found the upper right corner of the net at the 2:14 mark of the second.

Huselius' slapper put Columbus ahead 3-1 at the 4:58 mark. Voracek then scored on a backhander during a penalty shot to make it a three-goal contest with 8:58 remaining.

The game turned into a rout when Vermette and Murray lit the lamp at the 14:17 and 19:11 marks, respectively.

Vermette scored a power-play goal at the 1:39 mark of the third to make it 7-1. Blunden's first goal in his NHL career at 3:49 extended Columbus' margin to 8-1.

Kopecky's power-play score at the 5:16 mark and Burish's first goal of the year with 4:26 left accounted for the final margin.

These divisional foes will also face off in Chicago on Saturday...Chicago leads the season series with Columbus, 4-1...The Blackhawks went 1-for-5 on the power play...Chicago outshot the Blue Jackets, 41-32...The eight goals scored by Columbus matches a club single game record overall and is the most the club has scored at home.