"At this rate, Blue Jackets captain Rick Nash might not participate in the team's taxing Olympic-break practices made to simulate training camp.

His Columbus teammates, however, don't begrudge the fact he's missing all the conditioning drills. They have enjoyed watching Nash and five other Blue Jackets play in the Olympic hockey tournament. Nash has become a vital contributor to Team Canada's drive for a gold medal in Vancouver.

He has scored goals in consecutive games heading into a semifinal tonight against Slovakia, which includes Blue Jackets defenseman Milan Jurcina.

"Nasher has been really good," forward Derek Dorsett said. "He has been getting lots of chances, playing a physical game. He could maybe have eight to 10 goals with the way he's been playing."

An afterthought four years ago in Turin, Nash has logged the third-most ice time of any Team Canada forward, behind Sidney Crosby and Patrick Marleau. He has two goals and three assists in four games and was a force in Canada's 7-3 win over Russia on Wednesday.

His line helped blank Alex Ovechkin, and Nash scored a first-period goal that general manager Scott Howson said showcased his talents. He barreled up the ice, filling a lane and accepting a pass from Jonathan Toews before burying the shot.

"It was a great goal," Howson said. "You saw Rick's speed, power and skill on that rush.""