The Columbus Blue Jackets were hoping to get their third straight win when they went to Phoenix on Tuesday to face the Coyotes. Unfortunately, they ran into a brick wall in the form of Yotes goalie Mike Smith. Smith came into Tuesday's game with two straight shutouts to his name and put together a signature victory as the Coyotes managed a 2-0 win.
The Blue Jackets actually started the game strong with an early flurry of shots, but Smith was busy pitching a gem. Phoenix's keeper had 54 saves by the end of the night while Boyd Gordon and Gilbert Brule put in two goals past Allen York in the second period. That was all that they would need as the Blue Jackets squandered away several good chances, especially on the power play when Smith seemed to shine the most in net.
The win kept the Coyotes in the hunt for the Pacific division title, tied for first place with the LA Kings with the two points earned Tuesday, while the loss for the Jackets was just another disappointing footnote on a lost season for the organization.
For more on the Columbus Blue Jackets, check out The Cannon. For more on the Phoenix Coyotes, head over to Five For Howling.