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Umberger, Blue Jackets eye third straight win

Nov 8, 2008 - 2:52 PM Calgary (8-5-1) at Columbus (6-6-2) 7:00 p.m. EST

COLUMBUS, Ohio (Ticker) -- R.J. Umberger has the Columbus Blue Jackets on the verge of their longest winning streak of the season.

Umberger and the Blue Jackets go for their third straight win on Saturday when they host the Calgary Flames.

The 26-year-old center, who was acquired in a draft-day trade with the Philadelphia Flyers before signing a four-year contract extension, has scored all five of his goals over the last four games.

Umberger's surge ties him for the team lead with captain Rick Nash, rookie Derick Brassard, and Kristian Huselius, who was signed as a free agent from Calgary during the offseason.

Umberger tallied once in each of the last two games, helping the Blue Jackets earn a one-goal win over the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday before the team outlasted the Montreal Canadiens, 4-3, in a shootout on Friday.

Rookie Steve Mason made 34 saves against the Canadiens to earn his second career victory. Mason will likely be back in goal against the Flames with starter Pascal Leclaire on injured reserve with an ankle injury and backup Fredrik Norrena sidelined due to a groin injury.

Calgary enters the contest after escaping with a 7-6 victory against the Nashville Predators on Thursday. The Flames jumped to a 5-0 lead and overcame three unanswered goals by the Predators in each of the final two periods to snap a two-game losing streak.