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Blue Jackets hope to halt skid, extend success in Buffalo

Dec 3, 2010 - 4:09 PM (Sports Network) - The Columbus Blue Jackets will be trying to halt their first losing streak of the season when they visit the Buffalo Sabres tonight at HSBC Arena.

The Blue Jackets had not dropped consecutive tests in 2010-11 before getting swept this past weekend in a home-and-home series with Detroit. Columbus followed the consecutive regulation defeats to the Red Wings with Wednesday's shootout loss to the visiting Nashville Predators.

Columbus, which is currently tied for the fifth seed in the Western Conference, had won five in a row prior to the Detroit series. The Blue Jackets, who are 8-2-0 as the guest this year, also had a five-game road winning streak snapped by the Red Wings on Sunday.

The Blue Jackets were dealt a 4-3 setback by the division-rival Predators as Steve Sullivan scored the only goal of the shootout phase. Sullivan deked Blue Jackets goaltender Steve Mason completely out of his net in the shootout, and Nashville's Pekka Rinne made a save on Antoine Vermette to end the game.

Vermette had two goals and an assist for Columbus and R.J. Umberger added two helpers to extend his points streak to a franchise-record 10 games. Umberger has three goals and 10 assists during the run.

Mason had 26 saves and also recorded an assist on Kris Russell's goal early in the third period. It was Mason's first helper of the season and third of his career.

Blue Jackets forward Ethan Moreau returned from a 17-game absence on Wednesday, as he played for the first time since suffering a broken hand on Oct. 20. Moreau logged just over 11 minutes of ice time and registered a shot on net.

Columbus defenseman Marc Methot has missed the last four games with an upper- body injury and is questionable for tonight's test.

The Sabres have lost three of their last four games but they should be well rested tonight, having been off since losing in Montreal on Saturday.

Buffalo was dealt a 3-1 loss by the Canadiens as Brian Gionta notched two goals and one assist for the hosting Habs. Jordan Leopold provided the only offense and Ryan Miller allowed three goals on 33 shots for the Sabres.

"We got off on the wrong foot. We were forcing it down in the neutral zone, but they were always looking to get creative," Miller said. "We didn't pick the right time to take the lead. On the third goal, I should have played it better."

The Sabres are just 4-8-1 as the host this year, but did end a two-game home losing streak with last Friday's win over Toronto.

Buffalo forward Tim Connolly is listed as questionable for tonight's game, but is expected to miss his fourth straight game with a groin injury tonight.

The Blue Jackets recorded a 4-0 home win over the Sabres in the only meeting between the clubs last season. Mason posted the shutout in the game, which was his first and only career start against Buffalo.

Columbus has won four in a row against the Sabres and is 7-2 with a tie in the all-time series. The Jackets have also won two straight in Buffalo and has taken four of the six all-time meetings in western New York.