• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Blue Jackets, Blues hope to keep rolling in St. Louis

Dec 9, 2010 - 4:11 PM (Sports Network) - The Blue Jackets and Blues were each able to end five-game losing streaks their last time out. Tonight, the Central Division rivals will meet in St. Louis with a chance to keep heading in the right direction.

Columbus followed up a five-game winning streak with five straight losses, but ended that slide with Monday's shootout decision over visiting Dallas. The Blues had snapped their skid the day before with a 3-2 regulation win in Vancouver.

St. Louis will be trying to avenge a blowout loss to the Blue Jackets when it takes the ice tonight at Scottrade Center. Columbus hosted the Blues on Nov. 10 and recorded a shocking 8-1 victory. It was the third win in five games in this series for Columbus, which has still lost nine of its last 10 in St. Louis.

Also tonight, these teams will be battling to stay out of the Central Division cellar. The Blue Jackets are just one point ahead of St. Louis for last place in the division.

The Blues notched the 3-2 win over the Canucks on Sunday thanks in large part to Alexander Steen, who registered two goals, including the game-winner, and also set up another to lead St. Louis to victory.

Matt D'Agostini also lit the lamp for the Blues, while Jaroslav Halak stopped 21 shots to pick up the victory that was St. Louis' first since November 24.

"Three goals -- that's something we haven't gotten in a while," said D'Agostini. "We just gotta keep doing what we've been doing. We've got guys who can put the puck in the net."

St. Louis has lost its last two home games, but is still 8-2-1 as the host this season. Including tonight's tilt, the Blues are playing 10 of their next 12 games on home ice.

The Blue Jackets also notched a 3-2 win in their last game, but needed the shootout phase to defeat the visiting Stars. Kyle Wilson scored the deciding goal in the shootout and Mathieu Garon stopped Dallas' final shooter to give Columbus its first win since Nov. 24.

Rick Nash registered a goal and an assist in regulation for the Blue Jackets. Kris Russell also tallied for Columbus, while Garon turned aside 16-of-18 shots.

"It's huge. It's exactly what we needed as a team, coming back like that late in the game," Garon said. "Our power play got us a big goal and our captain [Nash] stepped up in the end."

The Blue Jackets are 8-3-0 on the road this season, but have lost two straight as the guest. Columbus will play its next game on home ice against the New York Rangers before heading out on a three-game swing.