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Wild look to return to winning ways vs. Blue Jackets

Oct 25, 2008 - 10:45 AM Columbus (3-4-0) at Minnesota (4-0-1) 8:00 p.m. EDT

ST. PAUL, Minnesota (Ticker) -- Over the first five games of this young season, the special teams of the Minnesota Wild have been just that.

The Wild will rely on those units to bounce back from their first loss of the season when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday.

Minnesota is one of two teams that has yet to allow a goal while a man down this season, successfully killing all 17 of their shorthanded situations. The Los Angeles Kings also are perfect on the penalty kill.

On the other hand, the Wild have taken advantage of their power-play chances. They are 7-for-24 with the man advantage, which is good for third in the NHL at 29.2 percent.

In a battle of teams without a regulation loss, the Wild surrendered a late two-goal lead to the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday before falling, 4-3, in overtime.

The Blue Jackets have struggled to keep the puck out of their net, ranking 27th in goals allowed with a 3.71 average.

Columbus is coming off a 3-1 loss to the New York Rangers on Friday. Pascal Leclaire had his record drop to 3-3-0 as he was burned by former teammate Nikolai Zherdev, who recorded a goal and two assists.