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Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks during the third period against the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 1, 2024 at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Melissa Tamez/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

CHICAGO – Sean Monahan had a goal and an assist, and the Columbus Blue Jackets extended their point streak to six games with a 6-3 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.

Kent Johnson scored for the second straight game to extend his point streak to nine games, and Ivan Provorov, Dante Fabbro, Kirill Marchenko and Dmitri Voronkov also connected for Columbus. Zach Werenski’s two assists extended his point streak to eight games.

Connor Bedard had a power play goal and an assist for Chicago, which lost its second straight streak. Craig Smith and Nick Foligno also scored power play goals.

Elvis Merzlikins made 28 saves in his sixth consecutive start. Petr Mrazek blocked 30 shots.

Bédard, the NHL’s leading rookie scorer last season, had two goals and two assists in three games after a 12-game goalless drought.

Takeaways

Blue Jackets: Johnson has four goals and three assists in five games since returning from a shoulder injury that sidelined him for 14 games. The fifth overall draft pick in 2021, Johnson injured his left shoulder in February, underwent surgery, then returned to start the season.

Blackhawks: Chicago scored first for the 14th time in 24 games and had three power-play goals for the second time this season. But with a record of 8-14-2 and 18 points, Chicago is last in the NHL.

Key moment

When Chicago scored, Columbus answered. Bédard opened the scoring at 2:59; Provorov equalized 1:28 later. Smith tied it 2-3 minutes into the second, then Monahan restored the Blue Jackets’ lead 1:50 later. Marchenko scored his 10th goal at 10:52 of the third period, less than three minutes after Foligno cut Columbus’ lead to 4-3.

Key statistic

Johnson has points in each of the nine games he has played this season, and a total of six goals and six assists.

To be continued

The Blue Jackets play in Calgary on Tuesday. The Blackhawks visit Toronto on Monday.