The Columbus Blue Jackets are still in search of their first point of the season after suffering seven consecutive regulation-losses. They were shut out by the Islanders in a 4-0 defeat their last game but won the shots 37-29, and I like their chances of breaking their luck when visiting the Minnesota Wild who they've dominated in recent seasons.
Here are my keys to the game:
1. Fresh Start For The Blue Jackets - Columbus fired coach Todd Richards Wednesday and has appointed John Tortorella to turn things around for the club. The appointment seem to have given the morale a boost already: "He's proven he's a good coach," said center Brandon Dubinsky, who played for Tortorella with the Rangers from 2008-12. "He's going to help our group."
2. Situational - The Wild have not exactly impressed in recent games with back-to-back losses to Los Angeles and Anaheim. The Blue Jackets have won five straight in the series and four of the last five meetings at Xcel Energy Center.
3. X-Factor - Sergei Bobrovsky owns a 5-1-0 career mark with a 1.46 GAA versus the Wild.
Selection: This is a play on the Columbus Blue Jackets +1.5 (6*)