Devils 5, Bruins 1

Dawson Mercer scored twice during New Jersey’s four-goal second period, and the Devils beat Boston on Wednesday night.

Nico Hischier had a goal and two assists, Dougie Hamilton had a goal and an assist, and Stefan Noesen also scored, and Timo Meier had two assists to help the Devils snap a four-game skid. Jacob Markstrom had six saves before leaving early in the second period after after a collision, and Jake Allen stopped all 16 shots he faced.

Morgan Geekie scored for Boston. Jeremy Swayman had 25 saves through two periods, and Joonas Korpisalo stopped five shots in the third.

Geekie got Boston on the scoreboard first at 5:50 of the first, and Mercer tied it at 1:24 of the second.

Markstrom left the game after colliding with Boston forward Justin Brazeau in the crease at 3:09.

Hamilton had a power-play goal at 4:12, Noesen scored another power-play goal with just under 4 minutes left in the middle period for his 18th of the season, and Mercer got his second of the night just 12 seconds later to make it 4-1.

BLUE JACKETS 5,

MAPLE LEAFS 1

Adam Fantilli scored three goals for his first career hat trick, Elvis Merzlikins stopped 29 shots, and Columbus beat Toronto.

Luca Del Bel Belluz had a goal and an assist, and James van Riemsdyk also scored for Columbus. The Blue Jackets improved to 7-1-1 in their last nine games and moved into the Eastern Conference’s first wild card spot.

Auston Matthews scored for Toronto, and Dennis Hildeby had 14 saves. The Maple Leafs snapped a three-game winning streak.

Fantilli, a native of nearby Nobleton, Ontario, with 70 family and friends in attendance, pushed Columbus ahead 3-0 with 4:39 left in the second period with his second of the night. Del Bel Belluz — who’s from Woodbridge, Ontario, also just outside Toronto — made it 4-0 at 5:56 of the third. After Matthews spoiled Merzlikins’ shutout bid at 9:22, Fantilli completed his hat trick with an empty-netter with just under 8 minutes remaining.