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Blue Jackets get Wild

Feb 8, 2012 - 3:22 AM Columbus, OH (Sports Network) - Antoine Vermette scored the eventual game- winning goal in the second period as the Columbus Blue Jackets topped the Minnesota Wild, 3-1, at Nationwide Arena.

David Savard had a goal and an assist and Jeff Carter also scored for the Blue Jackets, who got 28 saves from Curtis Sanford en route to their second straight win.

"I thought we played a heck of a first period, probably one of our best," Blue Jackets interim head coach Todd Richards said. "They came out and were better in the second, but we were really happy with the way we finished the game."

Nate Prosser scored and Niklas Backstrom gave up all three goals on 37 shots for the Wild, who have lost three of their last four games.

Columbus grabbed the lead for good at 2-1 with a power play tally at 15:31 of the second period.

After Vermette won a key offensive zone draw to the left of Backstrom, the puck made its way to Rick Nash along the boards. He sent it to Vermette, who slid a quick backhand just inside the far post from the slot.

The Blue Jackets put the game away at 5:38 of the final period when Savard ripped a shot from the point that was kicked out by Backstrom, but Colton Gillies and Carter were parked in front and Carter poked it into the net.

The Blue Jackets opened the scoring at 8:59 of the first period when Savard ripped a slap shot from the point that went off bodies in front and deflected past Backstrom.

Minnesota evened the score with just 1:21 remaining in the first period after Prosser picked up the puck off the right wing boards and wired a slap shot from the right point that was deflected in front and made its way past Sanford.

"It was back-and-forth, we had a couple chances, but I don't think we deserved to win the game," Wild head coach Mike Yeo said.

Game Notes

Tuesday marked the third meeting of the season between the teams....Gillies played his first game against the team that made him the 16th overall pick in the 2007 draft...It was Savard's first NHL goal...Minnesota failed to score on two power play chances, while the Blue Jackets went 1-for-7 with the man advantage...Minnesota will host the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday, while the Blue Jackets will play host to the Dallas Stars, also on Thursday.