Blue Jackets 4, Panthers 1

Defenseman Nikita Nikitin scored twice and had an assist, R.J. Umberger also had two goals, and Allen York made 30 saves in the Columbus Blue Jackets' 4-1 victory over the Florida Panthers on Friday night. Nikitin followed a two-assist game in a victory over Detroit on Wednesday night with goals in the second and third periods. Umberger scored in the first and added an empty-netter with 47 seconds to play. Tomas Kopecky spoiled York's shutout bid, scoring off a rebound with 7:57 left in the third. York made 29 saves against Detroit for his first NHL win in eight games and was stellar against Florida. The Panthers, coming off an overtime loss Thursday night at Minnesota, were unable to put distance between themselves and idle Washington in the Southeast Division. Florida, looking for its first division title, has a four-point lead over the Capitals. The Panthers also are four points behind Boston for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Blue Jackets, assured of the worst record in the NHL, are 13-13-1 in the past 27 games.