Blue Jackets reach milestone in victory

Associated Press

Buffalo, N.y.

Blue Jackets captain Nick Foligno can look beyond the frustration of Columbus closing yet another season out of playoff contention and see a brighter future.

It began with rookie Joonas Korpisalo stopping 34 shots, including 17 in the second period. And it continued with Brandon Saad scoring his 30th goal as part of a 4-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Friday night in a matchup of two teams out of playoff contention.

“You need to see your youth be able to contribute, especially when you’re not where you want to be,” said Foligno, who broke a 1-1 tie with 4:44 left in the second period. “It’s only going to bode well for us going forward as an organization.”

Saad’s goal provided the Blue Jackets a franchise first. The fifth-year player tied Boone Jenner for the team lead, and marked the first time Columbus has had two players score 30 goals in one season.

“He’s a huge part of our team and I’m glad,” coach John Tortorella said of Saad (Mahoning Valley Phantoms 2008-09). “Although we’re done after tomorrow, it’s nice for those guys to have those types of milestones. And we expect more of it when we get going next year.”

It hasn’t been an easy season for the Blue Jackets, who opened with an eight-game losing skid that cost coach Todd Richards his job. The overhaul continued with the team trading top-line forward Ryan Johansen to Nashville on Jan. 6.

Matt Calvert and Dalton Prout also scored for Columbus, which closes hosting Chicago on Saturday. The Blue Jackets moved into 27th in the standings, a point ahead of Vancouver, and won two in a row for the first time since Feb. 23-27.

Rookie Sam Reinhart scored for the Sabres in their home finale. Buffalo (34-36-11), which closes at the New York Islanders today, had a three-game winning streak snapped and blew an opportunity to finish a season with as many regulation wins as losses.

The Sabres can finish no higher than 22nd, though it still marks a significant improvement for a rebuilding team that finished last in the standings in each of the past two seasons.

“Not the way wanted to finish,” Sabres captain Brian Gionta said. “I think at times our starts, we’re asleep at times.”