Columbus @ New Jersey preview

Last Meeting ( Jan 18, 2020 ) New Jersey 0, Columbus 5

The Columbus Blue Jackets surged into position for a postseason slot with a sensational two-month run, earning points in 24 of 26 games (19-2-5). However, the Blue Jackets have hit a rough patch with four straight defeats (0-2-2) and will try to avoid matching a season-worst losing streak when they visit the New Jersey Devils on Sunday night.

Columbus is holding onto the top wild card but has seen its offense dry up during the current slide, managing only six goals overall and one in each of the last three home games. "We've got to find a way to be more comfortable with the sticks. We're fighting it a little," forward Oliver Bjorkstrand said after Friday's 3-1 home loss to the New York Rangers. The Blue Jackets have dominated the series with nine consecutive wins over the Devils, who had earned points in six straight contests before dropping two of their last three games. "I know it sounds old now because I've been saying it for a while, but we just have to be better," interim coach Alain Nasreddine said after Friday night's 5-2 drubbing at Carolina.

TIME: 6 p.m. ET. TV: MSG-Plus, FS Ohio

ABOUT THE DEVILS (21-26-10): After backup Louis Domingue got the nod in Friday's loss, Mackenzie Blackwood will be back in net as he vies to continue his stellar play this month after a number of shaky outings in January. Blackwood, who turned aside 13 of 14 shots in relief in a 5-1 loss at Columbus on Jan. 18, has won all three starts in February while posting a pair of shutouts and permitting only one goal on 109 shots. Forward Nick Merkley collected an assist in his New Jersey debut and "stood out," according to Nasreddine.

ABOUT THE BLUE JACKETS (30-18-11): Bjorkstrand scored twice in a 5-0 win over New Jersey on Dec. 21 but suffered a rib injury and oblique strain in that game on a cross-check by defenseman Damon Severson that cost him nearly a month. Bjorkstrand has seven goals in the 10 games since returning to the lineup, including the lone tally in Friday's loss, to take over the team lead with 19 goals -- four shy of last season's career high. Columbus continues to sputter on the power play, converting on 1-for-19 in the last eight games.

OVERTIME

1. Blue Jackets G Elvis Merzlikins has allowed six goals in his last five starts and had a 41-save shutout versus New Jersey last month.

2. Devils C Nico Hischier (lower body) has missed six straight games but is a possibility to return Sunday.

3. Blue Jackets C Pierre-Luc Dubois has only one assist in the past six games.

PREDICTION: Blue Jackets 4, Devils 2