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Blue Jackets shoot for consecutive wins vs. Wild

Feb 7, 2012 - 3:48 PM (Sports Network) - The Columbus Blue Jackets will try to record consecutive victories for the first time since November when they host the Minnesota Wild this evening at Nationwide Arena.

The Blue Jackets are by far the worst team in the NHL this year with just 34 points, but they were able to halt an 0-5-1 slide with Friday's overtime victory in Anaheim. The 3-2 decision over the Ducks allowed Columbus to end an awful six-game road trip with a 1-4-1 record.

Columbus, which is 12 points behind the Ducks for the 14th seed in the West, last posted victories in consecutive games on Nov. 19 and 21, when it defeated Nashville and Calgary, respectively.

Derick Brassard scored two goals, including the game-winner at 3:55 of the overtime period, to help lead the Blue Jackets defeat the Ducks on Friday. On the winning tally, Brassard poked the puck out to the neutral zone and raced up the left wing on a 2-on-1 with Rick Nash. Brassard looked off the defenders and beat Jonas Hiller with a slap shot.

"We found a way, I'm pretty excited right now," Brassard said. "In practice I try to go short side. I trusted my shot. It went high on the glove side and it worked."

Jeff Carter also scored for Columbus in his first game back after suffering a shoulder injury against the Ducks on Jan. 8. The Blue Jackets also received 33 saves from Curtis Sanford in the victory.

The Blue Jackets are just 8-13-3 as the host this year and tonight's game marks the first of two straight in Ohio. Columbus will also welcome Dallas on Thursday.

While the Blue Jackets have little else to play for this year other than pride, the Wild are locked in the middle of a tough battle for a Western Conference playoff berth. Minnesota is currently holding onto the eighth seed in the West with 56 points and it had won three of four heading into Saturday's clash with Dallas, which is just two points behind the Wild in the conference standings.

The Wild lost Saturday's showdown in Dallas, but Minnesota was at least able to secure a point, as the Stars posted the 2-1 win in the shootout. In the second round, Stars forward Jamie Benn cut out to the right before coming back to the middle and snapping a wrister into the left side of the net past Niklas Backstrom. Jared Spurgeon had the last chance for Minnesota, but Kari Lehtonen made a stop on the wrister for the win.

Kyle Brodziak scored the only goal of the game for the Wild, while Backstrom turned away 25 shots in the loss. Brodziak has recorded a point in six straight games, posting three goals and four assists during the surge.

"We had a lot of luck, some good chances," Brodziak said. "If we keep playing like that we're going to have some success."

Minnesota is 12-12-5 as the guest this year and is completing a three-game road trip tonight. The Wild will kick off a four-game homestand when they host Vancouver on Thursday.

The Wild are 2-0 against Columbus this year, but the Blue Jackets have won four of the last seven meetings overall. Minnesota is 2-0-1 in its last three trips to Nationwide Arena.