The Columbus Blue Jackets went up 2-0 in the first period, but were unable to hold onto the lead and ultimately lost yet again on Tuesday night, falling 4-2 to the visiting Minnesota Wild.
Cal Clutterbuck scored the go-ahead goal in the third period to bring the Wild all the way back in another distressing loss for the Blue Jackets.
It was Clutterbuck, you might recall, whom James Wisniewski elbowed in a preseason game, resulting in an eight-game suspension. That Clutterbuck would score the winning goal in their first matchup since then is fitting for a season in which virtually nothing has gone to plans for the Blue Jackets.
In our preview, we noted that "Niklas Backstrom has been huge for the Wild," and he was again on Tuesday night, stopping a season-high 43 shots for the Wild. So while Columbus easily outshot Minnesota, 45-23, they could not break through against Backstrom in the final two periods.
The tough luck continues, and so the 3-13-1 Blue Jackets remain stuck on seven points and buried in last place in the Western Conference, eight points behind the Calgary Flames and Anaheim Ducks. They head to Boston next to face the Bruins on Nov. 17, who sit in last place in the Northeast Division but sport a respectable 6-5-0 record at home.