Slick scoring connections steal the show and stun Blue Jackets

Jay LaPrete, AP

Columbus Blue Jackets' Rick Nash, left, chased Minnesota Wild's Pierre-Marc Bouchard across the blue line during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Feb. 2, 2008, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)

Marian Gaborik scored twice, closing the Wild scoring by finishing off a dizzing give-and-go sequence with Pavol Demitra.

By MICHAEL RUSSO, Star Tribune

Last update: February 5, 2008 - 1:37 AM

COLUMBUS, OHIO - There was only one question to be asked after the Wild's 4-1 thumping of the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday:

How in the world did defenseman Kim Johnsson get an assist on the off-the-hook Pavol Demitra-to-Marian Gaborik tally?

"He was the one that looked at them the most, I guess," coach Jacques Lemaire joked.

"He just makes these subtle little plays," injured defenseman Sean Hill cracked.

"I have such sweet hands, you don't even notice them sometimes," kidded Johnsson.

In all honesty, Johnsson had trouble remembering what he did to earn that point.

Because in between the puck being on his stick and Gaborik burying his second goal of the game and the Wild's fourth of the night, Demitra and Gaborik executed, believe it or not, five give-and-go's.

"It was 4-on-4, and we just did give-and-go's, you know?" Gaborik said. "They were out of position, so Demo and I just did give-and-go's and it worked.

"It was a lot of give-and-go's," Gaborik said, laughing.

Deadpanned Lemaire, "I guess they were looking for each other on that goal."

No kidding. It looked like Gaborik and Demitra were playing catch in a schoolyard with no invited guests.

"Demo's and Gabby's goal was sick," said Brian Rolston, who scored the winner for his fifth goal in five games. "Really nice. I mean, it was impressive. They had the puck the whole time. And the funny thing about it, Gabby gets it right in the slot, which, I mean, I don't know.

"Pick up Gaborik in the slot."

The Wild scored twice on 4-on-4's, the last because Blue Jackets captain Adam Foote punched Gaborik in the second of three run-ins between the two.

"Little scuffle here and there," Gaborik said. "They were, I guess, frustrated."

The Demitra-to-Gaborik goal wasn't even the prettiest of the night. The Wild had a bevy of them after defenseman Kurtis Foster's game-opening goal tipped off Columbus defenseman Ron Hainsey.

After rookie Derick Brassard tied the score with his first career goal, his buddy, Pierre-Marc Bouchard one-upped him. Bouchard set up Rolston's 19th goal at the end of a picture-perfect shift in which he mesmerized the Blue Jackets with a ridiculous amount of dreamy moves.

"I just stood back and watched," Rolston said, shaking his head. "Butch started in the neutral zone, and he danced around like 10 guys. He's been on top of his game for a long time, but tonight was insane."

Added Lemaire, "[Bouchard] can turn on a dime and go from right to left in a half-second."

The Wild regained its one-goal lead, and then went for the kill with another sweet goal. Gaborik fed Demitra inside the blue line, and Demitra sent the puck ahead for Todd Fedoruk. With Gaborik jetting to the net, Fedoruk threaded a seeing-eye pass for the tac in a tic-tac-toe beauty.

"We were excellent with the puck," Lemaire said. "We didn't have a lot of shots, but there were great goals."

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