Coyotes at Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets try to extend their franchise-record point streak to 10 games as they continue their five-game homestand against the Phoenix Coyotes on Saturday. Despite sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference standings, Columbus has crept into playoff contention with a 5-0-4 run. The Blue Jackets have gone beyond regulation in all but one game during their streak, with four contests being decided in overtime and four others in a shootout.
Phoenix came out flat in the opener of its four-game road trip on Thursday and suffered a 3-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues. The Coyotes won four of their previous six contests, with all four victories coming at home. Phoenix, which outscored Columbus 10-4 while winning the first two meetings of the season, concludes its trek with back-to-back games against the Los Angeles Kings beginning on Monday.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, FSN Plus Arizona (Phoenix), FSN Ohio (Columbus)
ABOUT THE COYOTES (13-11-3): Phoenix secured the services of Oliver Ekman-Larsson for the forseeable future, inking the defenseman to a six-year contract extension that will pay him an average of $5.5 million. The 21-year-old Swede, who already has played in 157 NHL games, leads the team with 14 assists and is second with 17 points. "I think I can still improve and get better," Ekman-Larsson said. "I just have to work hard in practices and games. I think I can get better in every zone." Despite the loss, the Coyotes got healthier on Thursday as defenseman David Schlemko (shoulder) and center Matthew Lombardi (upper body) returned to the lineup. Lombardi's next goal will be the 100th of his career.
ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (10-12-6): Columbus played strong defense in the first two games of its homestand but also struggled offensively as each contest was tied 1-1 after 65 minutes. The Blue Jackets ultimately dropped the contests against the Vancouver Canucks and Chicago Blackhawks in shootouts. Columbus has killed off 30 of its last 31 penalties and has not allowed a 5-on-4 power-play goal over its last 12 contests. The Blue Jackets activated John Moore from injured reserve, assigned fellow defenseman Cody Goloubef to Springfield of the American Hockey League and recalled center Sean Collins from the Falcons on an emergency basis.
OVERTIME
1. Columbus has allowed two goals or fewer in six of its last seven games.
2. The home team has won seven of the last eight contests in the all-time series.
3. The Blue Jackets earned a point in eight consecutive games from Jan. 16-Feb. 6, 2001.
PREDICTION: Blue Jackets 3, Coyotes 2