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Avs snap Blue Jackets winning streak

Columbus Blue Jackets v Colorado Avalanche

DENVER, CO - OCTOBER 24: Alexander Wennberg #41 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates against Matt Duchene #9 of the Colorado Avalanche at Pepsi Center on October 24, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. The Blue Jackets defeated the Avalanche 4-3. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

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You would have to put the Columbus Blue Jackets on the list of pleasant surprises so far in this NHL season.

Goaltending is a big part of that. The Blue Jackets, as a team, have the sixth best save percentage at even strength. So, too, is a youthful but skilled defensive group that is still gaining experience. They entered Monday’s contest on a four-game winning streak, including Sunday’s victory over Washington that had Capitals coach Barry Trotz a little ticked off with Blue Jackets forward Nick Foligno.

(By the way, John Tortorella responded in, well, a way you’d expect from Torts.)

Despite a total of 92 shot attempts courtesy a dominant stretch through the second half of the game, per hockeystats.ca, the Blue Jackets’ winning streak came to an end against the Colorado Avalanche on Monday.

Matt Duchene deflected a pass from Erik Johnson to win the game in overtime.

Still, the Blue Jackets were able to gather a single point after a late equalizer from Cam Atkinson with just seven seconds remaining in regulation. That helps them maintain their hold on a Wild Card spot, while keeping the Capitals and Pittsburgh Penguins within their sights in the Metropolitan Division.

As noted yesterday on PHT, that’s quite a turnaround compared to last season.

The odds in October indicated John Tortorella would be the first NHL coach fired this season. Things have obviously changed in the last month.