The Columbus Blue Jackets won three of the last four games coming into Tuesday night's clash with the Arizona Coyotes at Nationwide Arena. The Jackets had high hopes of being able to continue their hot streak as they were hosting the basement-dwelling Coyotes.
This one turned out to be a nasty surprise for the fifth line. It was all Coyotes as the Blue Jackets fell 6-3.
Tough Test For Tarasov
While the sample size was small, Daniil Tarasov made the most of his opportunities in his first three starts this season. In fact, he made a case for pushing Elvis Merzlikins for starting goaltender. The 23-year-old played well posting a stat line of 3.33 GAA and a .912 SV%, outplaying Merzlikins who put up a 4.19 GAA and a .864 SV%.
Going into Tuesday night, Tarasov no doubt wanted to continue to prove that he deserved more ice time. However, the evening could have hardly started any worse for him as he let up two goals on the first four shots he faced.
He looked to bounce back in the second, but it was more of the same as he let up two more goals, finishing the period with a putrid .667 SV%. He was pulled after he let up his fourth goal of the night.
Laine's Return
Patrick Laine went down with an upper-body injury just one period into the first game of the season but returned earlier than expected as he suited up for this game. He looked to pick up where he left off as he had scored a goal in the only period he played in this season.
This didn't end up being the return he was looking for though, as he was unable to find the back of the net, despite recording six shots on goal.
Wrong Way Power Play
To say that the Blue Jackets had struggled with power-play scoring would be a huge understatement. The club entered this game as the only team in the NHL that hadn't yet scored a power-play goal. They were looking to turn that around and notch their first PP goal of the season against the 24th-ranked penalty killer - Arizona. Despite having five different chances, they were unable to seal the deal in this one.
On the other hand, the penalty kill had been an area of strength for the CBJ as they were eighth in the NHL with an 85.7% penalty kill coming into this game. Unfortunately, that took a hit as they let up two goals in six shorthanded situations.
P.S.
#CBJ Gaudreau (5) goal pic.twitter.com/73xtBMzBBa
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) October 26, 2022
This game may have been one to forget, but the Johnny Gaudreau acquisition continued to pay dividends as he notched yet another goal, which was his fifth on the season.
Next Up
The Blue Jackets stay home to battle the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Bruins at Nationwide Arena on Friday Night at 7:00 p.m. EST.
