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Blue Jackets go for second straight win

Oct 11, 2008 - 10:06 AM Columbus (1-0-0) at Phoenix (0-0-0) 10:00 p.m. EDT

GLENDALE, Arizona (Ticker) -- The Columbus Blue Jackets are off to a thrilling start in the new season.

The Blue Jackets try to open 2008-09 campaign with back-to-back wins on Saturday when they visit the Phoenix Coyotes.

Captain Rick Nash scored with 21 seconds remaining in overtime to give Columbus a 5-4 victory over the Dallas Stars on Friday.

Jason Chimera gained possession of the puck in the offensive zone and fed Nash, who beat goaltender Marty Turco with a wrist shot to improve the Blue Jackets to 3-3-2 in season openers.

Nash scored 38 goals in 2007-08, but should find the back of the net more often this season with the additions of forwards R.J. Umberger and Kristian Huselius.

Acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers, Umberger assisted on a goal by Huselius, who signed as a free agent after three seasons with the Calgary Flames.

The Coyotes welcome a new face of their own on Saturday when Olli Jokinen makes his debut in the desert.

Jokinen, who was traded from the Florida Panthers in the offseason, brings veteran leadership and a much-needed scoring touch to a Phoenix team which made a 16-point improvement from its previous campaign last season.

The 29-year-old Finn has played in every game over the last four seasons and missed just seven contests in his last eight campaigns. Jokinen has scored 173 goals over the past five seasons, including 34 in 2007-08 with limited help around him in Florida. He most likely will be paired with captain Shane Doan on the Coyotes' top line.