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Blue Jackets try to extend surge vs. Coyotes

Jan 3, 2015 - 3:31 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The Columbus Blue Jackets managed to greatly improve their standing in the Eastern Conference with a terrific December, but Todd Richards' club still has a long way to go to prove itself playoff worthy in 2014-15.

The Blue Jackets will shoot for their 11th win in 13 games when they visit the Arizona Coyotes for Saturday's battle at Gila River Arena.

Columbus entered December with a 6-15-2 record on the season, but a 10-1-1 record in the final month of the 2014 calendar year has the club in much better shape in the East. Still, the Blue Jackets, who made the postseason for just the second time in club history last spring, are nine points out of a playoff spot.

The Blue Jackets capped their stellar month on a five-game homestand, posting a 3-1-1 mark during the stay at Nationwide Arena. Columbus won the final two tests on the homestand, beating Boston and Minnesota by a combined score of 9-3.

After slamming the Bruins, 6-2, last Saturday, the Blue Jackets recorded Wednesday's 3-1 decision over the Wild. Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 28 saves to earn the win over Minnesota, improving his record in December to 9-1-1.

Bobrovsky also posted a 2.14 goals against average and .937 save percentage last month and was named the NHL's Third Star for December.

The Blue Jackets got goals from Kevin Connauton, David Savard and Ryan Johansen in the New Year's Eve victory over the Wild. Connauton also added an assist, and Brandon Dubinsky was credited with two helpers.

Johansen's empty-netter was his first goal since Nov. 29. He is still second on the team this season with 10 markers.

"It was a good pass over, and I just had to hit the net," said Johansen. "That was good."

Columbus hopes to stay hot on the road, where it will play its next four games. The Blue Jackets have won four in a row as the guest and are 7-7-1 away from the Buckeye State.

Arizona is hoping to bounce back tonight after having a season high-tying three-game winning streak come to an abrupt end with Wednesday's 6-0 blowout loss in Dallas. The Stars received goals from six different players, while Devan Dubnyk surrendered all six goals on 31 shots.

"In the end, we didn't compete hard enough in coverage and gave up too many chances," Arizona head coach Dave Tippett said. "We've got to regroup."

The 6-0 rout capped sweep of the three-game season series for Dallas. It had not swept the Coyotes franchise since 1991-92 when the Stars played in Minnesota and the Coyotes played in Winnipeg

Arizona is hoping to extend another winning streak tonight, as it aims for a fourth consecutive victory on home ice. The Coyotes are 7-8-3 at Gila River Arena this season.

The Blue Jackets have won three straight and six of the last nine meetings in this series overall, but the Coyotes have claimed eight of the past 11 encounters in the desert.