Charlie Coyle’s hat trick boosts Blue Jackets past Blackhawks

Charlie Coyle scored his second career hat trick and added an assist to lead the surging Columbus Blue Jackets to their fourth straight win, 4-2 over the host Chicago Blackhawks on Friday.

Coyle, who added an assist, has five goals and four assists in his past three games.

Mathieu Olivier had a goal and an assist for the Blue Jackets, who have won eight of their past nine to move into the Eastern Conference playoff race. Zach Werenski had two assists, and Elvis Merzlikins made 23 saves.

Werenksi became the first defenseman in franchise history with three consecutive multi-assist games.

Connor Bedard had a goal and an assist for the Blackhawks, who have lost five straight (0-3-2) and were playing the second of back-to-back games after a 6-2 road loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday.

Chicago's Frank Nazar scored, Tyler Bertuzzi had two assists, and Spencer Knight stopped 22 shots.

Coyle gave the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead at 19:13 of the first period, scoring in front on the rebound of Werenski's shot during a power play.

Bedard tied it 1-1 with three seconds left in the period when he got to the rebound of Alex Vlasic's shot and knocked it past a diving Merzlikins.

Coyle put the Blue Jackets ahead 2-1 at 1:23 of the second period when he intercepted a pass from Chicago's Andre Burakovsky and scored with a wrist shot from the right hashmarks.

Olivier made it 3-1 at 6:47 of the middle period, scoring on a one-timer from the edge of the right circle off a pass from Coyle.

Nazar pulled the Blackhawks within 3-2 four minutes later. Bedard entered the zone 2-on-1 and passed across to Nazar, who beat Merzlikins from the low slot.

Chicago had several opportunities during a power play late in the third period, including a chance by Bedard, but could not convert.

With Knight pulled for the extra skater, Cole Sillinger sent Coyle in alone, and Coyle scored into the empty net to complete the hat trick at 18:57.