Last-second goal gives Devils 3-2 edge on Jackets

Ryan Graves’s goal with 1.4 seconds left gave the New Jersey Devils a thrilling 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night for their fourth win in five games.

FOUND A WAY.

Game Story: https://t.co/HCL4jmcnoc pic.twitter.com/mKF1EmL4ju

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) February 15, 2023

“Normally, I wouldn’t be there,” Graves said. “I was driving the net and I saw it pop through a hole. It was a great play by (McCleod).”

All aboard the Gravy train. It may have been late, but it arrived just in time. pic.twitter.com/1uG7PdD5zj

— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) February 15, 2023

Yegor Sharangovich and Jesper Bratt scored the other goals for the Devils, and Graves also had an assist.

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Vitek Vanecek stopped 31 shots for New Jersey, which remains three points behind first-place Carolina and moved five ahead of the New York Rangers in the Metropolitan Division.

“I think the one thing we’ve done well is we’ve stayed in games when games have been tight,” delighted Devils coach Lindy Ruff said.

“To win the game where Mike McLeod comes off the bench, makes a great play, and Graves joins the play, just the awareness to know the clock is ticking down. Heck of a play by Michael.”

Adam Boqvist had a goal and an assist, and Johnny Gaudreau scored for Columbus, which has lost five of six, including three straight at home, and continues to sit last in the NHL.

Elvis Merzlikins stopped 29 shots.

“I thought we played excellent,” Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen said. “The third period got a little away from us as far turnovers, the puck management a bit.

“We had three chances in the third period up until they scored the goal. Against that team, what they can create and been doing it all year, that was a heck of an effort.”

The Devils visit St. Louis Blues while Columbus host Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night.