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Chimera, Norrena lifts Blue Jackets over Blues

Mar 26, 2007 - 2:13 AM COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- The Columbus Blue Jackets probably wish they had played this way against Central Division opponents earlier this season.

Jason Chimera had a career-high three assists and Fredrik Norrena made 25 saves as the Blue Jackets posted a 4-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues.

Manny Malhotra had a goal and an assist for the Blue Jackets, who improved their division record to 10-14-4 but have won three straight games vs. Central rivals.

After Derrick Walser and Malhotra gave Columbus a 2-1 lead after one period, Fredrik Modin scored his 20th goal in the second session and Geoff Platt tallied in the third. Modin's goal marked the 400th point of his 10-year NHL career.

"It is nice when you score and obviously when you win the game, it feels even better," Modin said. "Milestones are always satisfying, but they are even better when you win the game."

Malhotra tallied at 14:28 of the first period when he blasted a shot from the bottom of the right faceoff circle over netminder Jason Bacashihua's glove for a 2-1 advantage.

Modin gave Columbus a 3-0 lead when he backhanded a shot from the low slot past Bacashihua at 4:57 of the second period.

"David (Vyborny) really made a good pass to me in the slot," Modin said. "I was fortunate to put it in on the backhand. It feels good."

"It was a nice play by them," Bacashihua said. "(Modin) came across and put it right over my glove. It was a nice goal."

Doug Weight scored the lone goal and Bacashihua stopped 22 shots for the Blues, who have lost six of their last eight contests.

Chimera snapped a five-game pointless streak and has 13 goals and 19 assists this season for a career-high 32 points.

"I am just trying to help the team as much as possible," Chimera said. "It feels good to contribute as best I can.

Norrena, who has allowed two goals or fewer in eight of his last 10 starts, is 2-0-2 with just nine goals allowed in four starts against St. Louis this season.

"I think we are much more consistent as a team," Norrena said. "That helps me. I feel pretty confident out there. I have a good feeling in my body."