Both teams have some work to do before Saturday but if Minnesota and Columbus continue winning, there will be a winning streak showdown on New Year’s Eve in St. Paul.
The Wild have won ten straight games (as indicated in the Wild’s Twitter account with 10 Ws before the i-l-d). The Blue Jackets have won 12 straight.
Take a look around the Central Division and where #mnwild stands with the latest Central Intelligence: https://t.co/AQvmc19I1A pic.twitter.com/jOTt7oL0a2
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) December 26, 2016
Minnesota’s 10 straight are a franchise record and it’s underscored the dramatic December for the team. The Wild have not lost this month (knock on wood) and have won 12 of their last 16 games.
The wins are making a difference in the standings too as only Chicago has more Western Conference points than Minnesota (49 to 46). If the Wild win Tuesday night in Nashville and Thursday on home ice against New York Islanders, that’ll stretch the streak to 12.
But as hot at the Wild are, Columbus is hotter.
#CBJ go for #13 tonight at @NationwideArena!
Preview/projected lineup: https://t.co/FZbeVk2LQT pic.twitter.com/ZyMIMYVoVn
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) December 27, 2016
The Blue Jackets’ now 12-game run is not only the longest in franchise history but tied for the longest streak the NHL’s seen in five years. Columbus leads the NHL with 50 points and 23 wins. The ‘Jackets have two games before getting to Minnesota, Tuesday at home against Boston and then Thursday at Winnipeg.
It’s very much putting the zamboni before the horse but that could be a hockey lover’s dream. Twelve- and- 14-game winning streaks on the line to ring in the new year.
The longest winning streak in NHL history is 17 straight by the 1992-93 Pittsburgh Penguins.
