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Nabokov, Sharks host Blue Jackets

Oct 14, 2008 - 1:05 PM Columbus (1-1-0) at San Jose (3-0-0), 10:30 pm EDT

SAN JOSE, California (Ticker) -- The San Jose Sharks gun for their first 4-0 start in franchise history when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.

San Jose enjoyed a season-opening 4-1 victory over the Anaheim Ducks and then capped a home-and-home sweep of the Los Angeles Kings with a 1-0 win on Sunday, when Brian Boucher - who went 0-2 in exhibition games with a 4.07 GAA and an .814 save percentage - notched the shutout in place of starter Evgeni Nabokov.

Nabokov, who will likely see more time off this campaign after starting 77 games last season, will likely start this game.. He boasts a 1.00 goals-against average and a .952 save percentage in two games for the Sharks, who won the series against the Blue Jackets last season, 3-1.

Columbus has split its first two games, beating the Dallas Stars, 5-4, in overtime and losing 3-1 to the Phoenix Coyotes.

A busy offseason has already paid dividends for Columbus, as R.J. Umberger has an assist and Kristian Huselius has a goal. Rick Nash remains as the team's most prolific player and will likely find more scoring opportunities with Umberger and Huselius as his linemates.

The Blue Jackets will be without Mike Peca, who was suspended after making contact with an official while complaining about a non-call in the game against Dallas.