Umberger's game-winner stops Sharks

R.J. Umberger scored on a 2-on-1 pass from Kristian Huselius 2 minutes, 55 seconds into overtime to give the Columbus Blue Jackets a 2-1 victory over the visiting San Jose Sharks last night.

"It was one of the best feelings of the year, so far," Umberger said. "That's about as dramatic as it gets."

Blue Jackets rookie goalie Steve Mason stopped 47 shots - one short of the franchise record - and helped Columbus win for its fifth straight game at home.

San Jose (25-3-3) entered the game with 52 points, surpassing the 1929-30 Boston Bruins for the best start through 30 games in NHL history. The Sharks' five-game road winning streak was snapped but they earned at least one point for the 15th straight game.

Devin Setoguchi had the lone goal for the Sharks, and Michael Peca tied it, with both goals scored in the third period.

In overtime, after the Sharks had a flurry of shots against Mason, the Blue Jackets broke out on a 2-on-1 with lots of room to skate. Huselius carried the puck up the right wing and sent a pass left to Umberger, who jammed a shot past Evgeni Nabokov.

In other games:

* At Buffalo, David Clarkson had a goal and an assist, and five New Jersey players scored in the Devils' 5-3 victory over the Sabres. Travis Zajac, Zach Parise, Bryce Salvador and Brian Rolston added goals for New Jersey, which won for the 10th time in 13 games (10-2-1). Scott Clemmensen had 23 saves, earning his ninth win in 11 starts.

* At St. Paul, Minn., Todd Bertuzzi's goal with 1:02 to play in overtime gave the Calgary Flames a 3-2 win over the Minnesota Wild. Marian Gaborik had an assist in his first game for Minnesota since Oct. 14.

* Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury will start tonight in Atlanta, the first time he has played since injuring his groin Nov. 15 in a game with Buffalo.

Fleury was the backup goalie during the Penguins' 6-3 loss to the Flyers on Saturday, his first time in uniform since suffering the injury. The Penguins have been off since that game, but will play four games in the next 6 days.

The Penguins also recalled forwards Jeff Taffe and Ryan Stone from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL. Injured forwards Max Talbot and Mike Zigomanis are not expected to play in Atlanta.

* Carolina has activated Frantisek Kaberle, who has missed 24 games with a leg injury, from injured reserve and sent fellow defenseman Tim Conboy to their AHL affiliate in Albany.

* St. Louis defenseman Jay McKee will be sidelined indefinitely with a fractured left ring finger, suffered during Tuesday's 6-3 loss to Calgary. Defenseman Jonas Junland was recalled from the team's AHL affiliate in Peoria. *