ANAHEIM, Calif. (Interstat) — The Anaheim Ducks defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 in a National Hockey League game Saturday night at Honda Center. A crowd of 15,897 saw the Ducks avenge an overtime loss in Columbus from earlier in the week. Anaheim’s Mikael Granlund, named the game’s top star, opened the scoring and later assisted on Pavel Mintyukov’s decisive third-period goal. Mason McTavish and Jacob Trouba also scored for the Ducks. Zach Werenski, Mason Marchment and Dmitri Voronkov scored for Columbus, which erased a two-goal deficit but could not find an equalizer. Goaltender Lukas Dostal made 23 saves for the win. Anaheim improved to 21-15, while Columbus fell to 14-21.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Interstat) — The Anaheim Ducks avenged an overtime loss from earlier in the week, holding off a late push from the Columbus Blue Jackets for a 4-3 victory on Saturday night at Honda Center. Mikael Granlund had a goal and an assist, and Mason McTavish scored the eventual game-winner in the second period as the Ducks improved to 21-15. The Blue Jackets fell to 14-21, unable to replicate their 4-3 overtime win over Anaheim just four days prior in Columbus. The Ducks established control early with a pair of first-period goals just 46 seconds apart. Granlund opened the scoring at 2:14, finishing a wrist shot off assists from Olen Zellweger and Frank Vatrano. Defenseman Jacob Trouba doubled the lead at the three-minute mark, firing a slap shot past Columbus goaltender Elvis Merzlikins with helpers from Ryan Poehling and Alex Killorn. Columbus answered on the power play later in the period. Dmitri Voronkov deflected a shot from Charlie Coyle at 5:54, with Zach Werenski also earning an assist, cutting the Anaheim lead to 2-1. Anaheim restored its two-goal cushion at 6:36 of the second period. McTavish collected a feed from Ross Johnston and snapped a wrist shot for his eighth goal of the season, making it 3-1. The Blue Jackets responded quickly, however. Just over two minutes later, at 8:39, Mason Marchment tipped in a point shot from Damon Severson, with Ivan Provorov also assisting, to pull Columbus back within a goal heading into the third period. A back-and-forth final frame saw Columbus push for the equalizer, but Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal made several key stops among his 23 saves. Werenski brought the Blue Jackets to within one again at 16:44 of the third, wiring a wrist shot for his 14th goal, assisted by Denton Mateychuk and Kent Johnson. With the score 3-2 and under two minutes to play, Anaheim defenseman Pavel Mintyukov provided critical insurance. He took a pass from Granlund and beat Merzlikins with a wrist shot at 18:31, with Radko Gudas also credited with an assist, to extend the lead to 4-2. Columbus pulled Merzlikins for an extra attacker and continued to press, but could not find another goal until the final seconds had all but expired, resulting in the 4-3 final. Dostal earned the win for Anaheim, while Merzlikins took the loss despite 32 saves. The Ducks’ penalty kill was perfect, negating both Columbus power plays. The Blue Jackets killed two of Anaheim’s three opportunities with the man advantage. Granlund, named the game’s top star, continued a strong stretch of play with his sixth goal and eighth assist of the season. McTavish led all players with six shots on goal. For Columbus, Werenski had a goal and an assist, and Coyle added a helper. The game featured 10 penalties, including a delay of game call against Columbus’s Kent Johnson for shooting the puck over the glass in the first period and a too many men on the ice bench minor against the Blue Jackets in the closing minutes. The victory helped Anaheim bounce back from an 8-3 loss to Dallas on Friday. Columbus has now lost two straight following a defeat by Minnesota on Thursday. The Blue Jackets continue their California road trip against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday. The Ducks conclude a brief two-game homestand against the Seattle Kraken, also on Monday.

ANAHEIM, Calif. (Interstat) — The Anaheim Ducks will look to avenge an overtime loss and continue their strong start to the season when they host the struggling Columbus Blue Jackets at Honda Center on Saturday. The Ducks (20-14-0) enter the matchup with a six-point edge over the Blue Jackets (14-20-0) in the standings. Anaheim has won four of its last six games, while Columbus has dropped seven of its last ten, including a 5-2 home loss to Minnesota on Thursday. This game is a quick rematch of a Dec. 16 thriller in Columbus, where the Blue Jackets edged the Ducks 4-3 in overtime. Anaheim center Mikael Granlund was a standout in that contest, recording a goal and an assist. He remains a key player to watch, having posted four points in his last five games. For Columbus, forward Charlie Coyle will be central to any rebound effort. Coyle, who had an assist in Thursday’s loss, has been a consistent contributor with nine points in his last 11 games. He also registered a shot on goal in the win over Anaheim earlier this month. The Ducks have been formidable at home, boasting a 12-5-0 record at Honda Center. The Blue Jackets, conversely, have struggled on the road with a 6-11-0 mark away from Ohio. According to National Statistical, Anaheim is projected as the favorite with a 52.2% win probability. Their game simulator predicts a 3-1 Ducks victory. Following this contest, Anaheim will host the Seattle Kraken on Monday. Columbus continues its California road trip against the Los Angeles Kings on Monday.