Rookie Werenski, Blue Jackets upend Blackhawks for first win

COLUMBUS, Ohio — After an 0-8 start last year that turned into a season-long tailspin, the Columbus Blue Jackets desperately were looking for a confidence-boosting early win. They got it Friday. Rookie defenseman Zach Werenski had a goal and an assist, and Nick Foligno and William Karlsson scored their first goals of the season as the Blue Jackets never trailed in beating the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2.

Sergei Bobrovsky turned in a solid game in net, blocking 32 shots and surviving a desperate Chicago power-play rally late in the third period.

“Just to fight through against a pretty good team that was coming at us in the second half of the game, saw our goalie play really well and keep us there, it just gives us a notch NHL of confidence,” Columbus coach John Tortorella said. “We keep on going from that.”

Tyler Motte and Richard Panik scored for the Blackhawks (2-3-0).

The Blackhawks tied it at 2:29 of the second period when a shot by Jonathan Toews ricocheted off Bobrovsky’s pad and was put back by Motte, his first goal of the season.

■ Islanders 3, Coyotes 2 — At New York, Johnny Boychuk scored a tiebreaking shorthanded goal early in the third period to back Jaroslav Halak, who had 23 saves, as New York dealt Arizona its third straight loss.

■ Red Wings 5, Predators 3 — At Detroit, Gustav Nyquist had a goal and an assist to back Petr Mrazek, who had 30 saves, as Detroit won its third straight.