Nash contends for goals crown

The Columbus forward has two games to surpass Jarome Iginla and Ilya Kovalchuk.
COLUMBUS (AP) -- If things don't work out and the Columbus Blue Jackets' 19-year-old Rick Nash doesn't win the NHL goal scoring title, he won't let it ruin his time back home in Brampton, Ontario.
"I've got 40 goals. I think that's a pretty good season, you know?," said Nash "If I don't win it, look who I'm going up against -- two superstars in the NHL."
With two games remaining, Nash and Calgary's Jarome Iginla share the lead with 40 goals. Atlanta's Ilya Kovalchuk is right behind with 39.
Nash is already the first teenager to score 40 goals in a season since Los Angeles' Jimmy Carson had 44 in 1987-88. Only eight players in NHL history have scored more goals before their 20th birthday than Nash's 57.
Richard Trophy
To win the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy given to the league's top goal-scorer, he'll have to finish strong against two of the best teams in the NHL. The Blue Jackets play host Colorado tonight before closing the regular season at Detroit on Saturday night.
Nash didn't score in a 3-2 loss to Detroit on Wednesday night despite having several prime chances, including a second-period breakaway stopped by Red Wings goaltender Manny Legace. Nash was barely wide on a rebound in the closing minutes that would have tied the game.
Nash, who has 15 assists to go with his 40 goals, had a season-high 22:14 of ice time. That's an example of how badly he and the Blue Jackets organization want him to win the title.
"I hope he can play another 44" minutes in the final two games, Blue Jackets interim coach Gerard Gallant said. "There's no reason why he can't. Everybody wants him to win it."
Best of season
In a season in which the Blue Jackets have struggled on the ice, Nash's quest is seen as a way of redeeming the season. The Blue Jackets feel as if they have a personal stake in how the big left-hander finishes.
"It's on everybody's mind, obviously," veteran Tyler Wright said. "It would be great, not only having a teenager do it but it would be great for the organization. It would be a great way to cap off his year because he's had such a tremendous year. He's that close."
Nash has blossomed in his second NHL season by putting his big body (6-foot-4, 206 pounds) in the crease and then relying on his quick hands to jab in rebounds or redirect shots. He showed talent a year ago, but was outmuscled by defensemen and easily pushed out of the crease.
"You know, there's no pressures for me to score goals," he said. "If I score, I score. If I don't, I don't. I'm 19 years old. It's a scoring title. It'd be nice to win. I didn't expect to be around here, so I'm not really expecting to win it."
Nash had 17 goals a year ago before bulking up. Now he has become a physical presence.
Iginla (40 goals, 32 assists) and Calgary have games remaining at Los Angeles tonight and at Anaheim on Sunday. Iginla, 26, won the Richard two years ago with 52 goals.
Kovalchuk (39 goals, 46 assists) and the Thrashers play host to Pittsburgh tonight and close out the regular season at Tampa Bay on Saturday night. Kovalchuk will turn 21 on April 15.