"Between missed open nets, failed penalty shots and a run of listless shootouts, the Blue Jackets spent almost three weeks on the wrong end of close calls and near misses. A 1-5-4 slump sent their playoff chances circling the drain. Against a Minnesota Wild club that could easily commiserate, the Jackets seemed ready yesterday to curse their fate yet again, only to have a lucky bounce and a much-needed win land in their laps. Antoine Vermette's goal with 34 seconds left in overtime gave the Blue Jackets a 5-4 win before a sellout crowd of 18,305. It also gave them a chance to breathe easy, if only for a moment. They play the red-hot New Jersey Devils today in Nationwide Arena. "We've been talking about it for a couple of weeks," coach Scott Arniel said. "All those pucks that have been hitting sticks and hitting crossbars and hitting goalies' back ends to finally get a misplay by them was great. And we were fortunate to have a guy right there to bury it."" Read more: http://www.bluejacketsxtra.com/live...e-finally-smiles-on-blue-jackets.html?sid=101
