Music: {allcanada} Columbus (31-24-7) at Edmonton (21-35-8)

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

{allcanada} Columbus (31-24-7) at Edmonton (21-35-8)

TV: FSOH, RSW

9:00 pm EST Thu Mar 3, 2011

Before the Columbus Blue Jackets began their road trip, they had won a franchise-record six straight away from home. Winning during this stretch, though, has proved to be difficult.

The Blue Jackets hope to avoid a third straight loss on their five-game trip Thursday night against the Edmonton Oilers.

Columbus (31-24-7) is in 12th place in the Western Conference, although it has at least one game in hand on every team above it in a crowded playoff race. The Blue Jackets would be closer if not for difficult losses to start this trip.

Columbus blew a third-period lead in Sunday's 3-2 defeat to fellow contender Nashville before a 2-1 shootout loss to Vancouver on Tuesday. The Blue Jackets had a 31-26 edge in shots Tuesday against the NHL's best team.

"It would be nice to finish that off with both points, but I thought we played a heck of a hockey game against a real good team in a tough building," coach Scott Arniel said.

Steve Mason (notes) fell to 7-1-1 with a 1.66 goals-against average in his last nine starts. The former Calder Trophy winner twice had chances to help Columbus earn the victory but failed to make saves in the shootout on Mason Raymond (notes) and Alex Burrows.

"Tough to lose that second point when we are desperate for it," captain Rick Nash (notes) said.

Nash has no points on this trip after registering 10 during the 5-0-1 overall stretch for Columbus that preceded it.

Scottie Upshall (notes), acquired Monday from Phoenix, scored the Blue Jackets' goal.

The Oilers (21-35-8) won 2-1 in a shootout over Nashville on Tuesday in their first game since trading Dustin Penner (notes) to Los Angeles at the deadline. Edmonton was outshot 18-7 in the first period without Penner, who was tied with Taylor Hall (notes) for the team lead with 21 goals.

"It looked like a team that had kind of gotten itself through something like the trade deadline and was trying to get their head around playing again," coach Tom Renney said.

Hall scored his first career goal against Columbus on Oct. 28 and has five points in three meetings this season. Fellow rookie Linus Omark (notes), who had the shootout winner Tuesday, has five points in two games against the Blue Jackets.

Martin Gerber (notes), recalled from the minors Feb. 25, made his first start since Nov. 29 and had 34 saves against the Predators.

"It always feels good when you win. It always gives you confidence and it's a lot of fun," the 36-year-old said. "I just want to get the best out of this season and see how things go. That's all I'm really focused on right now."

Gerber is 1-3-0 with one tie and a 2.44 GAA in five starts against the Blue Jackets, who he has not faced since Dec. 10, 2006, with Ottawa.

Edmonton's other available goalie, Devan Dubnyk (notes), is 0-2-1 with a 3.28 GAA in three career starts against Columbus. Nikolai Khabibulin (notes) is out with an eye injury.

Winger Ales Hemsky (notes), who banged his left shoulder Tuesday, has 25 points in his last 15 games against the Blue Jackets.