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Goalie nods: Bob’s back

Sergei Bobrovsky

Columbus Blue Jackets’ goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, of Russia, is silhouetted as he stands in front of his net before an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks in Vancouver, British Columbia, Friday, Nov. 22, 2013. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck)

AP

All the latest from the blue paint…

Finally some relief for Columbus

The Columbus Blue Jackets broke their nine-game slump last night. Now they get Sergei Bobrovsky back in net.

It’s not fair to pin their nine-game losing streak on Curtis McElhinney and Anton Forsberg alone - Bob was in net for the first two defeats in that skid - yet the Blue Jackets appear to be healing up. It’s an open question if they can dig themselves out of a month-sized hole, but Bobrovsky’s return seems like a sign of better things to come.

That said, Bobrovsky has some work to do himself. He’s just 4-4-0 with a .908 save percentage so far in 2014-15. For a guy turning down extension offers in a contract year, that’s not up to snuff.

The San Jose Sharks are likely to trot out Antti Niemi against Bobrovsky.

Elsewhere ...

Hurricanes at Bruins: Cam Ward tries to continue his recent strong work for Carolina while Tuukka Rask attempts to turn things around for Boston.

Wild at Stars: Darcy Kuemper likely for Minnesota and Kari Lehtonen expected for Dallas.

Ducks at Kings: Frederik Anersen seeks redemption for Anaheim against Jonathan Quick and Los Angeles.

Jets at Predators: Ondrej Pavelec vs. Pekka Rinne.

Maple Leafs at Sabres: James Reimer is expected for Toronto, Michal Neuvirth’s in for Buffalo.

Flyers at Canadiens: Ray Emery may get a rare start for Philly against Carey Price and Montreal.

Rangers at Penguins: Henrik Lundqvist vs. Marc-Andre Fleury.

Islanders at Lightning: Chad Johnson vs. Ben Bishop.

Avalanche at Devils: Semyon Varlamov’s in for Colorado, Cory Schneider expected for New Jersey.

Capitals at Blues: Justin Peters vs. Brian Elliott.

Senators at Flames: Craig Anderson vs. Karri Ramo.