Blue Jackets Vs. Red Wings Final Score: Columbus Avenges Monday's Embarrassing Loss, 4-2

The Columbus Blue Jackets are only playing for pride at this point and they responded to Monday night's 7-2 drubbing to the Red Wings with a strong effort on Wednesday night, beating the playoff bound Wings 4-2 on national television to split the home-and-home. The loss for the Red Wings sets up a big game on Friday between the Red Wings and Predators, who are jockeying for home ice in the first round of the playoffs; the Red Wings currently hold a one-point advantage.

Columbus scored twice in the first period on goals by Vinny Prospal (14) and Derek Dorsett (11). The Red Wings answered less than two minutes later with a power play goal, but the Blue Jackets extended their lead to three goals in the second period with another pair.

The Red Wings scored the lone goal in the third, but Allen York, starting in place of the injured Steve Mason, didn't allow any other shots get by him, stopping 29 of the 31 he faced.

Columbus plays next on Friday vs. Florida.

For more on the Columbus Blue Jackets, go to The Cannon. If you're looking for the Red Wings' take, head over to Winging It In Motown. You can also head over to SB Nation's main NHL hub at SBNation.com/NHL.

Steve Mason Injured, University Of Michigan's Shawn Hunwick Signed By Blue Jackets As Emergency Backup

The Columbus Blue Jackets has had a pretty awful season by anyone's standards, and it's not getting any easier as the season progresses. With under two weeks remaining, the Blue Jackets are set to be without starting goalie Steve Mason for at least one game. Bob McKenzie of TSN reports that Mason is out after taking a puck to the head Wednesday morning.

Presumably, that means that Allen York will get the start in goal, but what about York's backup? That falls to Shawn Hunwick, who is less-than a week removed from his career with the University of Michigan, which wrapped up on Friday with an NCAA Tournament loss. Hunwick was a walk-on, and doesn't have to go through the draft, and has been signed to an amateur tryout contract.

This means that he's in Columbus for one night as the backup as the Blue Jackets take on the Detroit Red Wings, but if Mason's injury is serious, it's feasible that he could be signed for further time to close out the season. It's worth noting that Mason wasn't pegged as someone who would be getting to the NHL any time soon, mostly due to his prohibitive size for the position - he's considered to be on the small side.

That doesn't mean he's not one injury away from playing in an NHL game less-than a week out of college. Injuries got him the starting nod at Michigan twice, so he's no stranger to these kinds of situations. It will be interesting to see if he sees the ice at all before the season is up, and whether or not he sticks with the Blue Jackets after the season.

For more on the Columbus Blue Jackets, go to The Cannon. You can also head over to SB Nation's main NHL hub at SBNation.com/NHL.

Blue Jackets Vs. Red Wings: Columbus Looks To Avenge 7-2 Loss On Monday Against Detroit

The Columbus Blue Jackets were hammered 7-2 in Detroit by the Red Wings on Monday, they'll get their chance for revenge as the teams meet again Wednesday night.