Columbus, OH (My Sportsbook) - The
Vancouver Canucks put a four-game unbeaten streak on the line tonight when they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena.
Vancouver is 2-0-2 during its run, including Tuesday's 3-2 win in Pittsburgh to open a three-game road trip. Henrik Sedin, Matt Cooke and Mats Lindgren scored to provide a 3-0 Canucks lead, and they held on for the triumph. Lindgren's shorthanded tally early in the second period proved to be the game- winner. Goaltender Dan Cloutier made 30 saves to pick up first star honors.
Sedin's tally was his second in as many games after going 16 without one. Todd Bertuzzi picked up an assist on Sedin's marker and extended his points streak to eight games (4g, 5a).
The Canucks, who lead the Northwest Division by seven over Minnesota with 67 points, are at the 30-win mark in the second-fastest time in franchise history. They've reached the plateau in 53 games, falling one shy of the mark set during the 1991-92 season.
Vancouver, 16-7-2 on the road, will close out its current swing Friday in Buffalo.
Columbus, meanwhile, went into the All-Star break on a 2-0-1 roll, including last Thursday's 2-1 decision versus Nashville. Tyler Wright and Espen Knutsen scored, with Knutsen snapping a 1-1 tie 3:19 into the third period. Knutsen played just his second game after missing 39 games due to an abdominal injury and surgery.
Goaltender Marc Denis finished with 33 saves and has allowed just four goals during the Jackets' current spurt. Denis likely enjoyed the rest during the All-Star break, as he has appeared in all but two of Columbus' 52 games this season.
The Blue Jackets, 3-0-1 in their last four home games, will visit Nashville on Saturday.
Columbus defeated Vancouver, 3-2, on January 10 to win their first game of the series (1-7-1). The Canucks, however, remain unbeaten at Nationwide, having posted a 3-0-1 mark.
Only three of the nine meetings between these teams have been decided by more than one goal.