All eyes will be on the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild on Saturday evening. You can probably count on one hand how many times that's ever been said.
It isn't a significant rivalry, or a homecoming for anybody. In fact, the only historical connection between the franchises is joining the league together in 2000. But as of right now, the Blue Jackets and Wild are the hottest teams in the NHL.
Columbus has won 14 games in a row, and Minnesota 12. Saturday's matchup will mark the first time in NHL history two teams will play each other on active streaks of at least 12 games, according to ESPN Stats & Info.
Additionally, the respective streaks mark the first time two NHL franchises have had concurrent winning streaks of 12-plus games, per ESPN. It's perfect timing.
Columbus entered the season pegged as a lottery pick for the 2017 draft, while Minnesota started a new regime under Bruce Boudreau, and was hardly expected to be within a point of the Central Division lead by the New Year.
The Blue Jackets and Wild have the same recipe for success: stellar netminding, and plenty of goals. Their impressive surges share many similarities and have taken the NHL by storm, but come Saturday night, something has to give.
Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.