Blue Jackets Vs. Blues NHL Preview: Columbus Going For Second Straight Win

On Friday, the Columbus Blue Jackets beat down the Buffalo Sabres to the tune of 5-1, winning three of their last four for the first time all season. On Sunday, they'll play host to the St. Louis Blues, looking to get a winning streak started and to become winners in four of their last five. Columbus has outscored their opponents 15-7 over their last four.

The Blues are winners in their last two outings, though they did lose the previous two before that. On Sunday, they're looking for their second three-game winning streak of the season. It's the first of six meetings between these Central Division rivals, and the game holds special significance outside of the rivalry. Ken Hithcock is making his first return to Columbus since being fired by the team in February 2010. Hitchkock took over the Blues after Davis Payne was let go, and the team is 6-1-2 under him since then.

Both teams are sporting strong goalie play. St. Louis' Brian Elliott has been fantastic this year, with three shutouts on the season, including the 2-0 blanking of the Calgary Flames on Friday. Elliot is 9-1-0 and sports a 1.34 goals-against average, and leads the NHL with a .951 save percentage. Curtis Sanford has been solid as well, for the Blue Jackets, and has played a big part in the team's recent success, stepping up his game.

The game is set for Sunday at 6:00 p.m. ET.