Winning streaks have come modestly and arrived few and far in between for the Columbus Blue Jackets this season, so they will be taking it one period at a time when host the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday night.
The Blue Jackets are coming off a 2-1 shootout win over the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday when James Wisniewski slotted home the game-winner. That win pushed Columbus to 9-17-4, and with 22 points, they passed the Anaheim Ducks (21 points) to move from last place overall in the NHL.
Now they will look for their second winning streak of any kind this season. Indeed, Columbus has won back-to-back games just once this season, when they beat the Nashville Predator and Calgary Flames on Nov. 19 and Nov. 21.
The Kings, meanwhile, are trending downward, having lost five straight games, falling to 13-13-4 overall and fourth place in the Pacific. The scapegoat was coach Terry Murray, whom the Kings fired on Monday. Interim coach John Stevens was unable to save the sinking ship in his first game, losing 3-0 to the Boston Bruins.
Thursday night's game marks the first of four matchups between the Blue Jackets and Kings. The game is set for 7:00 p.m. ET.