(Sports Network) - The Columbus Blue Jackets will try to avoid a third straight loss tonight, when they invite the Chicago Blackhawks to Nationwide Arena for a battle on New Year's Eve.
The Blue Jackets dropped a 7-4 decision against Detroit on Thursday and then were handed an overtime setback by Minnesota on Friday. The Wild earned the OT win on a bizarre goal by Wes Walz 1:29 into the extra session.
With the puck in the left corner and Columbus goaltender Ty Conklin out of position, Martin Skoula threw the puck in front as Walz crashed the net. Somehow, the puck slipped into Walz's pants and Blue Jackets forward Jason Chimera checked Walz from behind, sending both Walz and the puck into the net.
A penalty was originally called on the play but after a long review upstairs, Walz was credited with the game-winning goal.
Chimera, Joakim Lindstrom and Alexander Svitov each scored for the Blue Jackets, who have dropped three of four. Conklin yielded four goals on 24 shots in his first start for Columbus.
Conklin is taking the roster spot of goaltender Patrick LeClaire, who had arthroscopic surgery on his knee Thursday.
The Blackhawks are coming off Friday's setback to visiting Boston. Patrice Bergeron netted the eventual game-winning goal as the Bruins downed Chicago, 5-3, at United Center.
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The Blue Jackets dropped a 7-4 decision against Detroit on Thursday and then were handed an overtime setback by Minnesota on Friday. The Wild earned the OT win on a bizarre goal by Wes Walz 1:29 into the extra session.
With the puck in the left corner and Columbus goaltender Ty Conklin out of position, Martin Skoula threw the puck in front as Walz crashed the net. Somehow, the puck slipped into Walz's pants and Blue Jackets forward Jason Chimera checked Walz from behind, sending both Walz and the puck into the net.
A penalty was originally called on the play but after a long review upstairs, Walz was credited with the game-winning goal.
Chimera, Joakim Lindstrom and Alexander Svitov each scored for the Blue Jackets, who have dropped three of four. Conklin yielded four goals on 24 shots in his first start for Columbus.
Conklin is taking the roster spot of goaltender Patrick LeClaire, who had arthroscopic surgery on his knee Thursday.
The Blackhawks are coming off Friday's setback to visiting Boston. Patrice Bergeron netted the eventual game-winning goal as the Bruins downed Chicago, 5-3, at United Center.
FULL STORY
