Blue Jackets score 7 unanswered to spoil McDavid's milestone night
For the first 10 minutes, the Edmonton Oilers looked fantastic.
As for the remaining 50? Not so much.
On the strength of three points from captain Connor McDavid - who reached the century mark for the second consecutive season - the Oilers jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead over the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets, setting up what seemed to be a rare pleasant night at Rogers Arena.
That is, until the Jackets poured in three goals of their own in the latter portion of the opening frame, and seven unanswered overall, to take a convincing 7-3 victory.
Columbus reversed its fortunes on the strength of a hat trick from Thomas Vanek, who has 13 points in 14 games since being acquired at the trade deadline.
While there's little consequence for the Oilers losing another game, it was a massive win for the Blue Jackets, who sit just one point back of the Pittsburgh Penguins for second in the Metropolitan Division.