Columbus Blue Jackets rout Los Angeles Kings in Jeff Carter's first match against former team –NHL
Jeff Carter was playing for the first time against his former team, Columbus, with Los Angeles since the blockbuster trade, but it was the Blue Jackets this time that impressed as the routed Kings, 3-1, Thursday night, March 8, 2012, at the Nationwide Arena
in Columbus, Ohio, United States.
Surprisingly, Columbus has turned their game play around, now on a four-game winning streak, one of their longest in the current 2011-2012 National Hockey League (NHL) regular season. Unfortunately, unless Blue Jackets win all of their remaining games, it
is nearly impossible for them to make such a late comeback for a playoff spot.
Kings also had their three consecutive winning record snapped by Columbus after some big wins against Minnesota Wild, Anaheim Ducks and Nashville Predators.
"This one felt good. This has been a really great change for me," said former Kings player and now part of the Columbus team, Jack Johnson. "I've been excited to come to the rink every day. These guys here have a blast here at the rink and it's carrying
over onto the ice. Guys are loose and having fun. That's what this game is supposed to be all about."
Mark Letestu added the first of the night by firing the shot midway through the opening period for his sixth of the regular season. Los Angeles tied it right up as Anze Kopitar capitalised on a turnaround shorthanded with Willie Mitchell out for high-sticking.
Jack Johnson potted the tie-breaking goal with nine seconds remaining while Mark Letestu secured the match 3:07 into the second for the final of the night.
"It was a disappointing start," Kings coach, Darryl Sutter, said. "You break down Columbus' last three games and they've had 2-0 leads on all three teams.”
Columbus stands at number 15 in the Western Conference with 51 points and the chances of them making such a comeback to secure a playoff spot are extremely bleak. With that said and looking at their recent run, taking on a St. Louis Blues team will be an
exciting match to watch on Saturday.
Detroit Red wings host Los Angeles Kings on Friday, putting them at risk to lose another match back-to-back.
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