Flames at Blue Jackets
THE STORY: The surging Columbus Blue Jackets are beginning to
make their move. Well, surging might be a bit much, but at least the
Blue Jackets have finally put together points in two straight games.
Columbus became the last NHL team to get to 10 points with a 4-3
overtime victory in Nashville on Saturday, two days after a shootout
loss in Boston. The Blue Jackets are 2-1-1 in their last four games and
are getting strong play from career backup goaltender Curtis Sanford.
Next up is the Calgary Flames, who will visit Columbus on Monday hoping
to put together back-to-back wins of their own. The Flames sit at the
bottom of the Northwest Division but are coming off a season-high
scoring effort in a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, RSN West (Calgary), FS Ohio (Columbus)
ABOUT THE FLAMES (8-9-1):
The problem has been on the offensive end for Calgary, which ranks 25th
in the NHL in scoring average. Some encouraging signs have popped up
lately, however, with the Flames totaling nine goals in their last two
wins. Curtis Glencross recorded two goals and an assist in the victory
over Chicago and Rene Bourque snapped a nine-game scoreless streak with a
goal. The Flames have been carried by goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff, who
owns a 2.34 goals against average in 15 starts.
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (4-13-2):
Columbus showed some fight Saturday, coming back from two deficits and
snapping 13-game road losing streak when James Wisniewski scored his
first goal in overtime. Sanford earned his first win since 2008 with 30
saves and could get the nod again over Steve Mason, who has struggled
badly with a 3.63 goals against average in 16 games.
OVERTIME:
1. Kiprusoff is 15-5-2 with a 2.10 goals against average in 23 career games against Columbus.
2. Calgary took three of the four meetings last season.
3.
Jeff Carter, who had only three assists in eight games since returning
from an injured foot, scored his first goal for Columbus on Saturday.