The Columbus Blue Jackets hit the ice in Arizona on Tuesday night to take on the bottoming-out Arizona Coyotes, the last team the Blue Jackets would face this year not vaguely in a playoff race. Losing to the Coyotes would have nearly ensured a 29th place finish for the season. Here’s how the the Jackets lined up:
James Malatesta, added on emergency recall, made his NHL debut on Tuesday as Alex Nylander missed the game with an upper body injury. Malatesta, who has 12-9-21 in 53 AHL games this year, is a former 5th round pick in the 2021 NHL Draft. Tuesday night marked the fourth of a five game road trip, the second to last road trip of the season for the Blue Jackets. Here’s what happened.
First Period
Mathieu Olivier fought Liam O’Brien just 1:57 into the game, looking for an early spark. Halfway through the period, the Jackets capitalized – after Sean Durzi took a tripping penalty, Boone Jenner scored his 22nd of the year on a power play. Johnny Gaudreau’s patience allowed Jenner to get open in the slot and put a one timer in with 8:15 to go in the first.
Both teams had chances in the first, but the Jackets led 1-0 in after 20 minutes; shots favored Columbus 15-12.
Second Period
Elvis made his third huge save in this one early in the second to keep this a 1-0 game; a reminder that he’s been a solid netminder this year.
After most of another subpar second period, the Coyotes scored two goals to take the lead headed into the third period. The first came from Matias Maccielli taking advantage of a bad Erik Gudbranson slashing penalty to tie the game 1-1 with 5:05 to go. The second came as Josh Doan, also making his rookie debut, knocked the puck down and beat a scrambling Merzlikins to give Arizona the lead. Terrible period by Columbus.
Columbus managed to not waste the period, earning a power play late and Zach Werenski capitalized, assisted by Jenner and Gaudreau. The teams were knotted at 2 after 40 minutes played.
Third Period
The Coyotes poured it on in the third period, scoring 4 goals. Josh Doan, Nick Bjugstad, Nick Scmaltz, and Dylan Guenther all found the back of the net as Columbus yet again unraveled. James Malatesta, who led the club with eight hits, also dropped the gloves in the dying seconds.
Final
Columbus Blue Jackets 2 Arizona Coyotes 6
Up Next
The Columbus Blue Jackets wrap this road trip on Thursday as they take on the Pittsburgh Penguins in PPG Paints Arena. Faceoff is set for 7:00 PM ET.