The Blue Jackets put to rest a slew of ugly numbers that followed them around like toe fungus, beating the Dallas Stars 4-1 in American Airlines Center.

Which of the following streaks was most unsettling, most in need of being expunged from the Blue Jackets’ stat sheet:

A: No regulation road wins this season (17 games), and none dating back to last March 12 in Carolina (23 games)

B: Eight straight blown leads after being up through two periods

C: No road wins this season for goaltender Steve Mason (0-8-0)

D: All of the above

The correct answer of course is ‘D.’

Mason had a season-high 36 saves, 18 of them in the first period. Rick Nash had his second two-goal game of the season, and John Moore had the first two assists of his NHL career. Antoine Vermette and Fedor Tyutin (empty-net) also scored.

There. That wasn’t so hard, was it?

“We talked about being more positive, more upbeat,” Mason said. “And the guys were able to do that tonight. I have to give a lot of credit to Umby (winger R.J. Umberger); he did a really good job of keeping guys up and positive during that (second) intermission.

 

“We know we can be a team that can close out games. There’s no reason we can’t. This one here is something we can build off now.”

The game was not without a setback for the Blue Jackets, though. Defenseman James Wisniewski suffered a fractured left ankle and will be out indefinitely pending more tests on Friday in Columbus. (See previous Puck-rakers post.)

But a win away from Nationwide Arena — in regulation, after leading through two periods, and in front of the stellar play of Mason — seemed like a major accomplishment for a team that has trouble taking baby steps this season.

“After all the things that have kind of backfired on us the last few weeks here … that was a great 20-man effort,” Blue Jackets coach Scott Arniel said. “From getting an early lead, to building on that lead, and playing very well in the third period, it was a good effort and a good feeling all around.”

 

Mason put it more bluntly: “It was good to hear music in the visitor’s room after the game for a change.”

The Blue Jackets led 1-0 only 3:50 into the game. Rookie Ryan Johansen carried the puck behind the net, feathered a sweet pass across the slot to Nash and celebrated as Nash fired the puck into a yawning net.

The Stars responded — actually, the poured it the freak on for most of the first period — to make it 1-1 at 8:57 of the first. Stars forward Vernon Fiddler, who once tormented the Jackets as a member of the Nashville Predators, fired a rebound home off Mason left leg.

Early in the second, Moore — a brilliant skater — floated sideways from atop the left circle to the high slot and loosed a wrister than Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen left on the doorstep. Vermette gathered it and crammed it under Lehtonen’s glove for a 2-1 lead.

If Vermette’s goal was big, Nash’s at 6:09 of the third was huge. Make that, Hyoooodge! Aided by a Johansen screen, Nash scored on a nifty wrister from the right circle to make it 3-1. For a club that has treated third period’s like first dates, it was much-needed breathing room.

The Blue Jackets killed back-to-back penalties late in the third (Boll, charging at 14:05, and Nikitin, hooking at 3:46) before Tyutin scored into an empty net with 2.0 remaining.

Side dishes:

– Mason was 0-8-0 on the road this season with an .839 save percentage and 4.80 goals-against average before tonight. He had lost 11 straight on the road (0-9-2) dating back to that March 12 game in Carolina. I remember that game, how it was seasonably warm and how Hurricanes fans were enjoying a tailgate before faceoff. Never occurred to me that it was have such meaning nearly half a season later.

– Here’s rookie John Moore on Mason tonight: “Mase made some huge saves. He outplayed (Stars goaltender Kari) Lehtonen, that’s for sure, and Lehtonen is a heck of a goalie.”

– The Blue Jackets may not need to recall a defenseman in the next couple of days to cover for Wisniewski’s injury. May not, I said. Aaron Johnson is here and able to play. But they’ll almost certainly need to recall somebody from Springfield before they leave next week on a lengthy California road trip.

– C Ryan Johansen was a soft-handed beast tonight. His feed to Nash for the game’s first goal tonight had to make Blue Jackets think a season or two down the road, when the kid grows into his paws and really gets comfortable in the NHL. He has 2-2-4 in his last four games after going a few weeks without a point.

– Here’s Mason, on what the win means: “A lot of people were questioning whether we care or not. I think this definitely shows that everybody in this dressing room is going to do everything we can do to get back into the playoff hunt.”

– The Stars lost captain Brenden Morrow in this one, too. Morrow was struck on his wonkly left knee by a puck and didn’t return after the second period.

– Aaron Portzline

aportzline@dispatch.com

twitter: @aportzline

CINCINNATI (AP)—The Cincinnati Bengals have placed wide receiver Andre
Caldwell on injured reserve with a hernia, ending his season.

The fourth-year player saw action in 13 games this season with two starts,
making 37 catches for 317 yards and three touchdowns.

To replace Caldwell, the Bengals have signed rookie receiver Armon Binns
from the practice squad.

Binns originally was signed to the practice squad on Sept. 20 after signing
on July 28 with Jacksonville as an undrafted free agent and being cut on Sept.
3.

Signed to the practice squad Tuesday is WR Vidal Hazelton, who like Binns
attended the University of Cincinnati and is a rookie.

Note: The opinions expressed here are my takes on each player’s individual matchup. As always, use your best judgment and conduct your own research on who to start or bench each week. You know your individual team and/or league situation better than anyone else.

Andy Dalton, QB

Averaging just 10.20 fantasy points per game over the last four weeks, Dalton is not the best option to lead your team in the fantasy playoffs. He scored just 5.96 fantasy points last week against the St. Louis Rams and has a difficult matchup this week against the Arizona Cardinals. Arizona is allowing just 15.79 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks this season so don’t expect the world from Dalton this week.

Cedric Benson, RB

Averaging 10.60 fantasy points per game over the last four weeks, Benson continues to be a good option in deeper leagues. He had a strong 14.70 fantasy point game last week against the rams but faces a tougher opponent this week in the Cardinals. Arizona is giving up only 17.20 fantasy points per game to running backs this season, so like Dalton, don’t expect huge numbers this week.

A.J. Green, WR

Averaging 11.20 fantasy points per game over the last four weeks, Green has been a fantastic rookie surprise this season. He had a solid game last week against the Rams scoring 11.50 fantasy points but his shoulder is a mild concern this week. Arizona is giving up 23.14 fantasy points per game to wide receivers this season so there is some upside.

Jerome Simpson, WR

Averaging only 4.20 fantasy points per game over the last four weeks, the only upside to Simpson is that he may see more targets this week due to Green’s shoulder and his more difficult one-on-one matchup. However, I still can’t recommend starting Simpson unless you have no better options.

Jermaine Gresham, TE

Averaging 5.70 fantasy points per game over the last four weeks, Gresham is another player I have a difficult time recommending. He scored only 1.60 fantasy points last week against the Cardinals and does not have the best matchup this week against the Cardinals.

Mike Nugent, K

Averaging 9.30 fantasy points per game over the last four weeks, Nugent is a solid fantasy kicker to carry in the playoffs. He scored 9.00 fantasy points last week against the Rams and has a very favorable matchup this week against the Cardinals. Arizona is giving up 9.85 fantasy points per game to kickers this season so expect a similar performance this week.

Defense

Averaging 6.30 fantasy points per game over the last four weeks, the Cincinnati Bengals’ team defense would be considered below average at best. They do however have a very favorable matchup this week against the Cardinals who are allowing 9.77 fantasy points per game to team defense. It is a risky start, but the upside is there.

Sources:

All data provided by Yahoo! Sports Fantasy Football

Paul Rados is an avid fantasy football participant and a Featured Contributor for the Yahoo! Contributor Network. Follow him on Twitter @PSRados or leave him a message on Facebook. For a complete look at his freelance work please visit his Blog.

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

In week 14, I posted a 3-1 mark with my picks for the AFC South Division. I correctly predicted that both the Indianapolis Colts and the Tennessee Titans would lose their games while the Houston Texans would beat the Cincinnati Bengals. It would have been a perfect week if not for the Jaguars pummeling the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 41-14. However three out of four is still respectable and I’m hoping to duplicate my success with the games for week 15.

Houston Texans vs. Carolina Panthers:

Last week, the Texans clinched their first playoff berth in team history with a 20-19 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite the rash of injuries during the season, the Texans have continued to roll. Rookie quarterback T.J. Yates played well last week, throwing for 300 yards along with two touchdowns. While Arian Foster (15 carries, 41 yards) and Ben Tate (8 carries, 67 yards) did not have great games last week, they did just enough to complement the passing game.

The Texans have also been playing pretty good defense this season and I think they will do a good job of containing both Cam Newton and Steve Smith. With that being said, I am picking the Texans to notch their 11th victory of the season.

Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts:

Both teams are coming off losses in week 14. The Titans played the New Orleans Saints close before falling 22-17 while the Colts extended their losing streak to 13 games with a 24-10 loss to the Baltimore Ravens. The Colts’ 0-13 record is the primary reason why I’m picking the Titans this week. The second reason is because of the play of quarterback Jake Locker. He picked up the offensive slack last week throwing for 282 yards and a touchdown, while Chris Johnson rushed for only 23 yards on 11 carries.

While the Colts have been competitive in a few of their games this year, their overall play on defense has been pretty bad. Based on that premise, the Titans’ quarterbacks should have a good game regardless of who plays and Johnson should bounce back this week as well.

Please note – this article was written following the Jacksonville Jaguars’ loss to the Atlanta Falcons, which is why this game was not included.

James Tillman is a resident of the Chicago-land area who has been an NFL fan for over 20 years. James is also a fan blogger on Yahoo Sports and NJFFL Dynasty. For interesting discussions about the NFL, NBA and MLB, follow him on Twitter @jtillman9693.

Sources:

Week 15 Picks and Predictions

NFL Scores and Schedules

Note: This article was written by a Yahoo! contributor. Sign up here to start publishing your own sports content.

CINCINNATI (AP) — Tests found that Cincinnati Bengals guard Bobbie Williams broke his right ankle during a 20-19 loss to Houston on Sunday, leaving him out for the rest of the season.

The Bengals put Williams on the injured reserve list Monday. They promoted guard Otis Hudson from the practice squad. Hudson was a fifth-round pick last year.

Williams’ injury leaves the Bengals without two starters on the right side of their offensive line. Right tackle Andre Smith missed the game on Sunday with an injured left ankle.

Williams, a 12th-year veteran, has been the Bengals’ starting right guard since 2004. He was suspended for the first four games this season for violating the NFL’s policy on performance-enhancing substances. He said he took an over-the-counter diuretic that’s banned.

Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.