Filatov’s second goal sends Blue Jackets over Thrashers in final game before Sweden trip

Filatov’s second goal sends Columbus over Atlanta

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Nikita Filatov scored his second of the game with 4:53 remaining to send the Columbus Blue Jackets off to Sweden — where they will open the regular season — on a high note with a 4-3 victory over the winless the Atlanta Thrashers 4-3 on Saturday night.

The Blue Jackets rallied from a two-goal, third-period deficit in the final NHL preseason game for both teams.

Gliding patiently down the right wing, Filatov waited for a defenseman to drop to the ice to defend him and banked in a shot off goalie Chris Mason.

Antoine Vermette, who also added an assist, tied it five minutes earlier from the edge of the crease, converting a long centering pass from Kristian Huselius in the right corner.

Huselius also had a goal, and Rick Nash added two assists for Columbus (4-4-0), which left for Europe after the game. The Blue Jackets play an exhibition game Tuesday against Malmo before opening the regular season Oct. 8 in Stockholm against San Jose.

Tobias Enstrom had a goal and two assists, and Freddy Meyer and Nigel Dawes also scored for Atlanta (0-5-1). The Thrashers begin their 2010-2011 campaign Oct. 8 against visiting Washington.

Steve Mason made 29 saves for Columbus. Mason had 25 for Atlanta.

Meyer opened the scoring with a shot from the right point at 2:50 of the first period. Filatov responded just 1:12 later, converting a 2-on-1 rush with Vermette.

Working the power play, Enstrom scored on another point shot to make it 2-1 at 18:07.

Huslius tied it late in the second period on a long shot from the top of the left circle. Dawes stuffed home his own rebound to give Atlanta the lead at 8:24 of the third.