Blue Jackets at Ducks
THE STORY: The Columbus Blue Jackets have been sitting at the bottom of the Western Conference since the first week of the season. On Sunday, they have a chance to jump out of the bottom. The Anaheim Ducks have been itching to fall into that basement for a while now, failing to string together back-to-back wins since a four-game streak from Oct. 8-17. The Ducks have not scored on the power play in six straight games but managed to avoid last place until at least Sunday when they topped the New York Islanders, 4-2, on Friday. The Blue Jackets drew to within a point of Anaheim with a 1-0 win at Los Angeles on Saturday afternoon. Curtis Sanford made 31 saves in his first shutout since Dec. 28, 2008, and could get the nod again on Sunday over struggling starter Steve Mason.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FSOH (Columbus), FSPT (Anaheim)
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (11-24-5): Columbus needs a regulation win to climb out of the basement, currently trailing Anaheim by one point. The Blue Jackets’ latest losing streak was a mere two games, ending Saturday when defenseman Grant Clitsome blasted his fourth goal. Sanford has started two straight games, playing well in a 2-1 loss at San Jose on Thursday before beating the Kings. Columbus is in the middle of a four-game road trip that finishes at Chicago on Tuesday.
ABOUT THE DUCKS (11-22-6): Anaheim had allowed 12 goals while dropping three in a row before topping the Islanders. The Ducks have plenty of talent offensively but struggle on the blue line, allowing an average of 31.3 shots on goal and 3.2 tallies. The amount of time spent in the defensive zone has kept the offense from getting out in front. Everything came together against New York, as Anaheim scored three times in the final 10:38 to grab the win.
OVERTIME:
1. Columbus took the first meeting, 3-1, at home on Oct. 30, and has won three of the last five in the series.
2. Ducks LW Bobby Ryan scored twice on Friday and has five goals in the last five games.
3. Sanford is 3-1-2 with a 2.27 GAA in his career against Anaheim.