Johnson scores with 1:07 left, Jackets top Avalanche 2-1
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Jack Johnson scored with 1:07 left off Avalanche forward Cody McLeod's skate to give the Columbus Blue Jackets a 2-1 victory over Colorado on Saturday night.
The Blue Jackets had multiple chances at a go-ahead score late but needed help from McLeod to finally put a second goal past Calvin Pickard.
Brandon Dubinsky slapped a shot past Pickard 58 seconds into the first for his ninth goal of the year.
The Avalanche tied it at 6:02 of the second on rookie forward Chris Wagner's fourth goal of the season. He redirected a shot by Jarome Iginla that trickled under the right leg of goaltender Joonas Korpisalo.
Korpisalo made 29 saves and got his third career victory. Pickard stopped 19 shots.
Columbus missed a chance to regain the lead 8 minutes later on a Colorado power play. It had a goal waved off when William Karlsson used his skate to push a pass from Cam Atkinson into the net. Karlsson swept his stick in an effort to touch the puck before it crossed the goal line, but the call stood upon review.
The Jackets failed to score during a third-period power play, with multiple opportunities turned away by Pickard.
Colorado's best chance to score in the period came when Nathan MacKinnon ripped a shot off the post during a power play, after referees whistled the Jackets for too many man on the ice at 10:07.
Colorado pulled Pickard after Johnson's score but failed to threaten Korpisalo in the final minute.
Columbus finished 0 for 3 on the power play. Center Boone Jenner was called for two penalties - once for interference in the first and then high sticking in the second.
The Blue Jackets have won two straight after winning 3-1 at Toronto on Wednesday night.
Colorado had won four of its last six.
NOTES: Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky dressed and backed up Korpisalo but did not play after returning from a groin injury. ... Bobrovsky has not played since Dec. 8.
