Blue Jackets win against the Sharks in overtime

December 18, 2008

R.J. Umberger scored on a 2-on-1 pass from Kristian Huselius 2:55 into overtime to give the Blue Jackets a 2-1 victory over the San Jose Sharks last night in Columbus.

Blue Jackets rookie Steve Mason stopped 47 shots, one shy of the franchise record, and helped Columbus win for the fifth straight time at home.

“Both goaltenders were good, and our guy was great,” said Columbus coach Ken Hitchcock, who celebrated his 57th birthday. “To beat teams like that, we’re going to need our goaltender to be our best player, and he was.”

San Jose (25-3-3) came in with 52 points, surpassing the 1929-30 Bruins [team stats] for the best start through 30 games in NHL history.

Devin Setoguchi had the lone goal for the Sharks in the third, and Michael Peca tied it.

San Jose’s five-game, road-winning streak was snapped. The Sharks, however, have earned at least one point in 15 straight games.

“It’s funny. When you win some games and you come in to play against teams, they expect you to absolutely run over people,” San Jose coach Todd McLellan said. “That’s not the case. It’s a hard league to win in and other teams are prepared for you.”

Devils 5, Sabres 3 - David Clarkson had a goal and an assist, and five New Jersey players scored in a victory over host Buffalo.

Travis Zajac, Zach Parise, Bryce Salvador and Brian Rolston added goals for the Devils, who snapped a two-game losing streak and won for the 10th time in 13 games (10-2-1). Scott Clemmensen made 23 saves and earned his ninth victory in 11 starts.

Patrik Elias had two assists to extend his point streak to eight games, and Devils captain Jamie Langenbrunner also helped set up two goals.

Drew Stafford, Patrick Kaleta and Paul Gaustad scored for the Sabres. Ryan Miller finished with 25 saves.

Flames 3, Wild 2 - In St. Paul, Minn., Todd Bertuzzi scored 3:58 into overtime and Calgary spoiled Marian Gaborik’s return to the Minnesota lineup.

Miikka Kiprusoff continued his mastery of the Wild by making 25 saves and beating them for the 20th time in 29 career starts.

Daymond Langkow scored Calgary’s first goal and assisted on the winner as the Flames extended Minnesota’s losing streak to six games. Craig Conroy had the other goal for Calgary.

Gaborik had a goal and an assist in his return from a lower-body injury that cost him 27 games. Andrew Brunette also scored.

olina activated Frantisek Kaberle (leg) from IR and sent fellow defenseman Tim Conboy to the AHL. . . .

St. Louis defenseman Jay McKee (finger) is out indefinitely.

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