Statistical look at Blue Jackets 15-game win streak

The Columbus Blue Jackets hope to get closer to making history by winning their 16th consecutive game when they play the Edmonton Oilers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; FS-O, SNW, NHL.TV).

The Blue Jackets won their 15th in a row by defeating the Minnesota Wild 4-2 on Saturday, tying the 1981-82 New York Islanders and the 2012-13 Pittsburgh Penguins for the second-longest winning streak in NHL history. A victory against the Oilers would move them within one of the League record of 17 consecutive wins, set by the 1992-93 Penguins.
Here's a statistical look at how the Blue Jackets' streak compares to the other three:
17 wins

Pittsburgh Penguins (1992-93)
Began: March 9, 1993; defeated Boston Bruins 3-2
Goals for/against: Outscored opponents 96-48
Close calls: Won five one-goal games. Trailed 2-1 after two periods against the New York Islanders but won 3-2 on March 14; needed overtime to defeat the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 on March 11 and the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 on April 7.
Biggest wins: 10-2 vs. Hartford Whalers on April 1; 10-4 at the New York Rangers on April 9.
Ended:April 14, 1993; 6-6 tie at New Jersey Devils (last game of regular season)
15 wins

New York Islanders (1981-82)
Began:Jan. 21, 1982; defeated Pittsburgh Penguins 6-1
Goals for/against:Outscored opponents 97-35. Scored six or more goals in 12 of the 15 victories.
Close calls:Won two one-goal games. Defeated Washington Capitals 7-6 on Feb. 2 and Colorado Rockies 3-2 on Feb. 20 for 15th consecutive victory, surpassing the previous record of 14 set by the 1929-30 Boston Bruins. Scored winning goal against Rockies with 47 seconds left in third period.
Biggest wins:9-2 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins on Jan. 26, 9-1 vs. Hartford Whalers on Feb. 14
Ended:Feb. 21; 4-3 loss at Pittsburgh Penguins

Pittsburgh Penguins (2012-13) Began:March 2, 2013, defeated Montreal Canadiens 7-6 in overtime
Goals for/against: Outscored opponents 53-26, including one shootout goal
Close calls:Won nine games by one goal, including two in overtime and a 5-4 shootout victory at the Toronto Maple Leafs on March 9. Trailed 4-1 after one period of 5-4 win at Philadelphia Flyers on March 7; trailed 2-0 after two periods of 3-2 win against Boston Bruins on March 12
Biggest wins: 6-1 vs. New York Islanders on March 10; 4-0 vs. Winnipeg Jets on March 28
Ended:April 2, 2013; 4-1 vs. the Buffalo Sabres

Columbus Blue Jackets (2016-17) Began:Nov. 29, 2016, defeated Tampa Bay Lightning 5-1
Goals for/against:Outscored opponents 61-26, including two shootout goals
Close calls: Won six games by one goal, including 3-2 shootout win at Arizona Coyotes on Dec. 3 when they scored tying goal with 2:16 remaining in third period, and a 3-2 shootout win against the Los Angeles Kings on Dec. 20.
Biggest wins:7-1 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins on Dec. 22; 6-2 vs. New York Islanders on Dec. 10
Next game:Jan. 3 vs. Edmonton Oilers