Coyotes 4 - 1 Blue Jackets
Final
  for this game

Coyotes pick apart Blue Jackets

Feb 4, 2015 - 6:27 AM Columbus, OH (SportsNetwork.com) - Mike Smith stopped 30 shots, while Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Shane Doan netted power-play goals in the second period as Arizona claimed a 4-1 victory over Columbus at Nationwide Arena.

Lucas Lessio and Tobias Rieder also rippled the net for the Coyotes, who have won three of their last four since losing seven in a row. Keith Yandle and Antoine Vermette added two assists each.

"We're trying to come together as a team and play well for each other, for the organization and our fans," Yandle said.

James Wisniewski potted the lone goal for the Blue Jackets, losers of three straight and eight of their last 11. Anton Forsberg made 25 saves in defeat.

Wisniewski tied the score on a power play just 40 seconds into the second, but the Coyotes struck twice in the next four-plus minutes to take the lead for good.

Shortly after Wisniewski was booked for interference, Ekman-Larsson ripped a shot home from below the right circle on the advantage at 2:32 and Doan added a power-play marker on the backhand at 5:19 as Ryan Murray sat for hooking.

Rieder hit the empty net with 2:11 left to seal the outcome.

"You'd think we'd be ready to play. It's part of being a professional. We had some guys that were, but not enough," groused Columbus head coach Todd Richards.

Lessio put the visitors on the board at eight minutes even of the first period, sweeping home a B.J. Crombeen rebound at the right side of the crease.

Game Notes

Arizona, which completed an eight-game road trip at 3-3-2, returns home Thursday to host Carolina ... Ekman-Larsson's 15 goals leads all NHL defensemen and tied his career high set last season.






Related News