San Jose @ Columbus preview

Last Meeting ( Feb 23, 2019 ) San Jose 0, Columbus 4

The injury-riddled Columbus Blue Jackets have overcome a bevy of bandages to become the hottest team in the NHL. The Blue Jays aim to continue their torrid stretch on Saturday afternoon when they bid to extend their 12-game point streak (8-0-4) against the visiting San Jose Sharks.

"When you have injuries, nobody feels bad for you. Nobody stops. Nobody changes their game. They all see an opportunity," said Pierre-Luc Dubois, who scored 52 seconds into overtime in Columbus' 2-1 win in Boston on Thursday. Dubois has recorded eight points (four goals, four assists) in his last eight contests -- including three game-winning goals -- to help the Blue Jackets move within three points of a playoff berth. Like Columbus, San Jose also enjoyed an overtime win its last outing, but that 3-2 victory over Pittsburgh on Thursday was just the team's third in its last 14 games (3-9-2). "It's nice to see something go in and see some things happening. Getting a win is obviously huge," defenseman Brent Burns said after scoring the overtime goal improved the team to 1-1-0 on its five-game road trip.

TIME: 1 p.m. ET. TV: NBCS California, FS Ohio

ABOUT THE SHARKS (18-21-3): Tomas Hertl scored his team-leading 15th goal on Thursday to mark the first time he's tallied since potting a pair in a 3-2 loss against Arizona on Dec. 17. Captain Logan Couture also scored later in the first period versus the Penguins to boost his club-best point total to 34, although just two have come in his last seven games. Kevin Labanc, who scored San Jose's lone goal in a 4-1 loss to Columbus on Nov. 1, 2018, has just one point -- an assist -- in his last eight games.

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (19-14-8): Gustav Nyquist has scored two goals and set up eight others to match Dubois with a club-best 10 points during Columbus' 12-game streak, but the 30-year-old Swede wasn't interested in letting the credit stop there. "To be honest with you, I think the whole team has stepped up and is chipping in," Nyquist said. "I think we've rolled four lines, and I think everyone has been chipping in. The guys that have come up have done a great job." Boone Jenner and defenseman Seth Jones each have added seven points and blue-liner Zach Werenski has five goals in eight games since returning from injury.

OVERTIME

1. Columbus rookie G Elvis Merzlikins has filled in admirably for the injured Joonas Korpisalo, turning aside 61 of 63 shots over the last two games after the team lost his first nine appearances.

2. The Sharks were outscored 8-1 en route to losing both meetings with the Blue Jackets last season.

3. Columbus has won four consecutive contests in which it has surrendered the first goal after losing the first 15 (0-10-5) in the same circumstances.

PREDICTION: Blue Jackets 3, Sharks 2