Wild at Blue Jackets
THE STORY: The Columbus Blue Jackets recently became the last team
in the NHL to win their third game. It could be a while before another
team challenges their 12 losses. The NHL-worst Blue Jackets are
struggling offensively but really have trouble on the other end,
allowing a league-high 3.7 goals. Columbus surrendered 19 goals during
their recent three-game losing streak but finally got a strong
performance in a 2-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday. The Blue
Jackets will be looking for their first winning streak of the season
when they host the road-weary Minnesota Wild on Tuesday. The Wild are
even through four games of the five-game trip after taking out Anaheim
on Sunday. Niklas Backstrom snapped out of a slump with a 32-save effort
to move above .500 on the season (5-4-0).
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FS North (Minnesota), FS Ohio (Columbus)
ABOUT THE WILD (9-5-3):
After beating Calgary, Minnesota worked its way down the west coast
over the last week and lost at San Jose and Los Angeles before righting
the ship with a 3-2 triumph over the Ducks. Sunday’s win marked only the
fifth time this season the Wild had scored more than two goals in a
contest. They usually get by on the defense, which is averaging just
over two goals allowed.
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (3-12-1):
With few of its veterans performing up to standard, Columbus turned to
rookie Ryan Johansen for its scoring punch Saturday. The 19-year-old
turned in his first multi-goal performance in the win. Steve Mason, who
is last in the NHL with a .875 save percentage, stopped 35 shots after
allowing 13 goals in his two previous starts. The Blue Jackets activated
goalie Curtis Sanford off injured reserve Sunday.
OVERTIME:
1. Minnesota took the first meeting 4-2 in St. Paul on Oct. 8. Mason was pulled after allowing all four goals in two periods.
2. Matt Cullen had a goal and an assist for the Wild on Sunday to snap a four-game pointless streak.
3. Backstrom is 8-3-1 with a 2.25 goals against average in his career against the Blue Jackets.