Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - Patrick Sharp scored twice and Marty Turco made 30 saves, as the Chicago Blackhawks took a 5-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.
Marian Hossa and Tomas Kopecky each had a goal and assist for the Blackhawks, who had lost three of four to start the season.
R.J. Umberger scored his 100th career goal, but Steve Mason allowed five goals on 40 shots as Columbus lost in its home opener. The Blue Jackets began the season by splitting a two-game series against San Jose in Stockholm, Sweden.
Chicago took control by scoring two goals in quick succession in the first period.
Nearing the mid-point of the period, Viktor Stalberg got the puck in the middle of the ice and raced toward the Columbus net. He split two defenders, pushed the puck ahead and sent a leaning forehand past Mason at 9:37.
Just more than a minute later, Hossa tallied his fourth goal of the season for a 2-0 lead.
Columbus got one of those scores back early in the second period while short- handed. Umberger crashed the net with the puck, which Turco blocked to the right of the goal. But the puck bounced off the end boards to Umberger, who centered a backhand shot that appeared to carom off Turco across the goal line at 1:11.
But the Blackhawks countered with their own shorthanded tally, as Sharp fired a snap shot from the left circle past Mason at 9:46. Sharp made it back-to- back goals two minutes later for a 4-1 lead.
Kopecky's backhander only 15 seconds into the third period gave Chicago plenty of cushion. Kristian Huselius completed the scoring with a little more than six minutes left on a tip-in goal.
Game Notes
Chicago played without Patrick Kane, who sat because of an illness...Huselius netted his third goal of the year...Turco faced 32 shots...On Saturday, Chicago hosts Buffalo, while Columbus plays at Minnesota.