Blue Jackets 4, Coyotes 3
What a difference a voice can make. In Todd Richard’s first home game since taking the reigns behind the bench, the Blue Jackets pulled out a huge 4-3 victory against the Phoenix Coyotes.
Derick Brassard picked up his first multi-point game since December 22 and Curtis Sanford made 32 saves in the game, though it was the play of the rookies who made the difference.
Called up due to injuries to forwards Jeff Carter and R.J. Umberger, Ryan Russell and Thomas Kubalik shined in the light of opportunism. Both players notched a their first NHL goals in the win.
As a whole, Columbus dictated play with a free-flowing style that started in the first period and continued through the next 40 minutes. Richards would not take credit for the change of pace, but it was clear something had changed since last game.
Phoenix jumped off to a 1-0 lead less than two minutes into the contest, though its successes were nullified when Kubalik and Rick Nash tallied shortly thereafter. In the second period, Russell and Brassard added a pair of goals to make it 4-2. Despite a late push, the Coyotes could not grab the game-tying goal in the final frame.
Whether the new style of play propelled the Blue Jackets is unknown, though it is indisputable that an increase in discipline aided in their quest for two points. Columbus took only one penalty, a significant number for even the calmest of teams.
With a 12-26-5 record, smiles have become a rarity in Nationwide Arena, though tonight was different. And as the Blue Jackets might be learning with the roster moves and coaching shakeups, change is good.
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