National Hockey League
BOXSCORE | RECAP
Columbus 4, Minnesota 0
When: 7:00 PM ET, Friday, December 6, 2013
Where: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, Ohio
Referees: Greg Kimmerly, Steve Kozari
Linesmen: Shane Heyer, Tony Sericolo
Attendance: 11319

Blue Jackets 4, Wild 0:
Curtis McElhinney made 20 saves as host Columbus recorded its second straight shutout.

Nick Foligno and R.J. Umberger each had a goal and an assist for the Blue Jackets, who won their third consecutive home game. Cam Atkinson added his first goal in five games and rookie Boone Jenner scored for the first time since October 17.

Niklas Backstrom stopped 37 shots in his first start in five games for the Wild, who fell to 5-6-3 on the road. Minnesota looked gassed after rallying to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks at home the previous night.

Atkinson opened the scoring 1:17 into the second period with a wrist shot that floated past Backstrom’s blocker. Foligno extended the lead 4:23 later by jamming home a rebound on the doorstep during a power play.

Jenner made it 3-0 by wristing the puck over Backstrom’s glove and into the top corner of the net 4:38 into the third. Foligno set up Umberger with a pretty behind-the-back pass during an odd-man rush 4:27 later to cap the scoring.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Columbus has not allowed a goal in 137:45. McElhinney has stopped all 28 shots he has faced since replacing injured starter Sergei Bobrovsky. … Blue Jackets F Ryan Johansen added two assists, giving him nine points in his last six games. … Minnesota lost to a Metropolitan Division opponent in regulation for the first time (4-1-1).
Top Game Performances
 
Minnesota   Columbus
N/A Points Nick Foligno 2
N/A Goals Nick Foligno 1
N/A Assists Ryan Johansen 2
N/A Power Play Goals Nick Foligno 1
N/A Short Handed Goals N/A
Niklas Backstrom .902 Save Percentage Curtis McElhinney 1.000
Niklas Backstrom 37 Saves Curtis McElhinney 20
Team Stats Summary
 
Team Shots Goals Power Play Penalty Kill Penalty Mins Face Offs Won
Minnesota 20 0 0-4 2-3 10 21
Columbus 41 4 1-3 4-4 10 26
Upcoming Games
  • Columbus will play their next game on the road against Pittsburgh. The Blue Jackets have a W/L % of .364 after a win and .444 after a loss.
  • Minnesota will play their next game at home against San Jose. The Wild have a W/L % of .647 after a win and .429 after a loss.