Penguins fall to Blue Jackets

The Coyotes were expected to land another top end draft selection in the upcoming off season but as it stands now they are thinking towards a playoff spot instead and with a 9-6-1 record so far they are looking more than capable of landing a top three spot in the Pacific.

Arizona has come from at least a goal down in each game on the winning streak and is averaging 2.88 goals per game after finishing ahead of only Buffalo last season with 2.01. “It shows a lot about our group”.

Smith has been better over a 3-1-0 span with a 2.34 goals-against average after going 1-3-1 with 4.55 mark over his previous seven.

DETROIT – Joe Pavelski scored his ninth goal of the season, Martin Jones made 26 saves and the San Jose Sharks beat the Detroit Red Wings 3-2 on Friday night.

Sergei Bobrovsky improved to 6-2 against Pittsburgh with 28 saves in a Columbus win Friday.

The Blue Jackets have steadied themselves under Tortorella, who has given his club a needed edge and a renewed commitment to defense since taking over for Todd Richards last month.

Immediately after his 2-0 goal that doubled the Blue Jacket lead midway through the second period, Saad was so overcome with emotion after scoring his sixth tally of the year, he hugged the closest person to him. He collected the primary assist on Scott Hartnell’s goal and added one of his own just 1:41 later. “I think it’s a really good answer after a really, really hard loss for those guys against Vancouver”.

“We didn’t get enough pucks to the net”, coach Mike Johnston said. “You lose a big guy; he (Dubinsky) eats up a lot of minutes…”

The Penguins have a chance to really soak up a few points if they can get things together. They’d given up nine goals in the previous two games.