Final
Nash helps Blue Jackets edge Stars
Feb 14, 2011 - 12:27 AM Dallas, TX (Sports Network) - Rick Nash scored the go-ahead goal in the second period and Steve Mason stopped 29 shots, as the resurgent Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Dallas Stars, 2-1, at American Airlines Center.Matt Calvert notched the other goal for the Blue Jackets, who have won five of their last six to climb within four points of the final Western Conference playoff spot.
Brad Richards scored the lone goal for the Stars, who have lost seven of their last nine games. Kari Lehtonen was peppered with 39 shots, but kept Dallas in the game with 37 saves.
"It was a pretty hard-fought game," said Stars forward Steve Ott. "We had Kari playing phenomenal back there for us, but it just wasn't enough."
Just 4 1/2 minutes into the game, Dallas started the scoring during a strong power-play attack that saw several shots sail wide of the net. Finally, Richards carried the puck into the lower part of the left circle and wristed it past Mason.
Columbus responded, though, less than a minute later off an offensive zone faceoff win. From the high slot, Calvert snapped it past the outstretched leg of Lehtonen.
From there, the visitors dominated by outshooting the Stars in the first period, 18-6.
The domination finally paid dividends at the 6:33 mark of the second when Nash raced out to a breakaway and roofed a backhander for a 2-1 lead just before Lehtonen could poke it away.
"It was just kind of an old school backhand," Nash said. "I thought it went off the post and then everyone started to raise their hands."
Columbus held onto the lead the rest of the way as Mason made 14 saves in the final period to preserve the win.
Game Notes
Columbus has won five straight on the road...Dallas defenseman Nicklas Grossman left the game in the first with a lower-body injury and did not return...Dallas will start a three-game road trip in Edmonton on Tuesday...Columbus will host Los Angeles on Wednesday...Richards has posted six points in his past six games...Anton Stralman assisted on both of Columbus' goals...Dallas was 1-for-6 on the power play and squandered two power play chances in the third period...Columbus was 0-for-2 with the man advantage.
- COLUMBUS: 2
DALLAS: 1
Final
Feb 13 5:30 PM - COLUMBUS: 2
DALLAS: 1
End of 2nd
Feb 13 4:37 PM - COLUMBUS: 1
DALLAS: 1
End of 1st
Feb 13 3:46 PM - Dallas Power-Play Goal - Brad Richards (24), at 4:36.
Blue Jackets 0, Stars 1 1st - 15:24Feb 13 3:16 PM - COLUMBUS: 0
DALLAS: 0
1st Period - 20:00
Feb 13 3:08 PM
Related News
- Welcome to Defending Big D 2.0 Mar 29
- The Cannon is moving! Mar 29
- Game 73 Recap: Jackets and Rangers play chaotic first period, New York dominates the rest of the way to beat Columbus 6-2 Mar 28
- GAME DAY THREAD: Stars @ Blackhawks (7:30 PM CT) Mar 28
- Stars, Domi Return to Chicago to face Blackhawks Mar 28
- Game #73 Preview: Blue Jackets limp into New York Mar 28
- Has Kent Johnson improved this season? Mar 27
- Blue Jackets allow six unanswered goals to Canadiens in blowout loss Mar 25
- GAME DAY THREAD: Stars vs. Canucks (6 PM CT) Mar 25
- Scoring Key as Stars Take On Canucks Mar 25
- Game #72 Preview/Gamethread: Bleu Jackets voyage to Montreal Mar 25
- Game #71 Recap: Kent Johnson Michigan goal helps Blue Jackets to overtime win over Islanders Mar 24