Wennberg scores against former team as Kraken top Blue Jackets

SEATTLE — Alex Wennberg scored midway through the second period against his former team to help the Seattle Kraken beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1 on Saturday night.

Wennberg, who was drafted by the Blue Jackets in the first round in 2013, had his 10th goal of the season in his 600th career game.

The Kraken head into the All-Star break in first place in the Pacific Division, one point in front of the Vegas Golden Knights and Los Angeles Kings.

Morgan Geekie and Eeli Tolvanen also scored for Seattle, former Blue Jacket Oliver Bjorkstrand had an assist, and Phillip Grubaruer made 24 saves.

Kent Johnson scored for Columbus, and Elvis Merzlikins stopped 28 shots.

After Wennberg’s gave the Kraken a 2-0 lead, Johnson put Columbus on the board late in the seecond. Tolvanen scored at 5:39 mark of the third.

NOTES

The Blue Jackets placed LW Gustav Nyquist (upper body) on injured reserve, and claimed Vancouver center Lane Pederson off waivers. … Columbus recalled defenseman Jake Christiansen from the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL. … Seattle’s Matty Beniers missed his second straight game after taking a hard hit from Vancouver’s Tyler Myers on Wednesday.

UP NEXT

Following the All-Star break, Kraken are at New York Islanders on Feb. 7.

KRAKEN 3, BLUE JACKETS 1

Columbus 0 1 0—1

Seattle 1 1 1—3

First Period—1, Seattle, Geekie 5 (Tanev, Soucy), 8:40.

Second Period—2, Seattle, Wennberg 10 (McCann, Eberle), 8:33. 3, Columbus, Johnson 10 (Roslovic), 18:58.

Third Period—4, Seattle, Tolvanen 10 (Bjorkstrand), 5:39.

Shots on Goal—Columbus 4-9-12—25. Seattle 12-15-4—31.

Power-play opportunities—Columbus 0 of 2; Seattle 0 of 2.

Goalies—Columbus, Merzlikins 5-14-0 (31 shots-28 saves). Seattle, Grubauer 5-8-2 (25-24).

A—17,151 (17,100). T—2:30.