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Flames seek improvement on dismal road mark vs. Blue Jackets

Feb 8, 2007 - 3:29 PM Calgary (29-17-4) at Columbus (21-28-5) 7:00 pm EST

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- When it comes to playing away from home, the Calgary Flames bear little resemblance to the squad that suits up at home.

Kristian Huselius tries to extend his scoring streak to 14 games as Calgary tries to avoid its first regulation loss in nine games Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Opening a three-game road swing, the Flames have dropped four of their last five road games and are just 7-12-6 on the road. Thanks mostly to their 22-5-1 home mark, they have a one-point lead over the Vancouver Canucks atop the Northwest Division.

Huselius has nine goals and 10 assists during his 13-game points streak, which ties Washington All-Star Alex Ovechkin for the longest run this season.

Calgary had its three-game winning streak snapped with Tuesday's 3-2 shootout defeat to the Chicago Blackhawks. Huselius netted his 24th goal on a power play and Jeff Friesen added his second of the season in the second session.

Playing the second contest of a six-game homestand, the Blue Jackets have dropped their last three contests after a four-game winning streak.

Columbus is coming off its franchise-record 12th shutout loss of the season in Tuesday's 3-0 defeat to the Phoenix Coyotes. The Blue Jackets failed to score on five power plays and are 3-for-41 with the man advantage in nine games.

Coach Ken Hitchcock has guided Columbus to a 10-4-1 home mark since taking over the team. However, the Blue Jackets have lost the last two meetings with the Flames, including last Friday's 6-2 loss.