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Backstrom stands tall as Wild rally past Blue Jackets

Nov 16, 2011 - 5:14 AM Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - Niklas Backstrom made 43 saves and the Minnesota Wild scored four unanswered goals Tuesday to beat the Columbus Blue Jackets, 4-2.

Matt Cullen and Nick Johnson scored 20 seconds apart in the second period to tie the game and Cal Clutterbuck put Minnesota ahead in the third. Devin Setoguchi added an empty-netter for the Wild, who have won seven of their last nine.

"We did supporting each other out there tonight," said Clutterbuck. "Overall everyone is happy lately and it's been fun to go out there and play, we want to keep this going."

Backstrom made 27 saves over two scoreless periods after giving up two goals on 18 shots in the first.

Antoine Vermette and Mark Letestu scored for the Blue Jackets, who have lost six of their last eight and remain on an NHL-worst seven points. Steve Mason allowed three goals on 23 shots in the loss.

"We just couldn't get anything back after they tied the game," said Columbus head coach Scott Arniel. "We just started making mistakes that we shouldn't be making."

Cullen picked up a loose puck in front of the net on a power play and roofed it over Mason at 10:32 of the second period for Minnesota's first goal.

Twenty seconds later, Johnson was also in front of the net when he hustled for a loose puck, skated to left side and beat the Blue Jackets goaltender to tie the game.

Clutterbuck's eventual game-winner came on a slap shot from the top of the right circle in transition, giving the Wild their lead at 7:38 of the third period.

Earlier, Columbus scored twice on special teams in the first period for a 2-0 lead.

Vermette's shorthanded goal came 6:51 into the game after he stole the puck in the Minnesota zone, snapped a shot on net and batted in his own rebound with a backhand.

On a power play midway through the period, Nikita Nikitin slipped a pass across the slot to Letestu, who slammed a one-timer into the empty side of the net from below the left circle.

Game Notes

For Minnesota, it marked just the sixth time all season it scored three or more goals in one game...The Blue Jackets, who were coming off a 2-1 victory over Winnipeg on Saturday, haven't won back-to-back games yet this season...Columbus forward Jeff Carter played his second straight game after missing 10 with a fractured right foot.