Karlsson's 1st 2 goals lift Blue Jackets over Coyotes 5-2
William Karlsson scored his first two goals of the season and Columbus beat the Arizona Coyotes 5-2 in a chippy game Saturday night for the Blue Jackets' first home win this season.
Boone Jenner had a goal and two assists, Ryan Johansen had a goal and an assist and Brandon Saad also scored for the Blue Jackets. Columbus entered with a six-game home losing streak -- tied for worst in franchise history -- and as the last club this season without a home victory.
Jack Johnson had two assists and Sergei Bobrovsky made 27 saves. Columbus won for the second time in as many nights after beating the Penguins 2-1 on Friday night.
Anthony Duclair had a goal and an assist and Oliver-Ekman Larsson also scored for Arizona, which ended a three-game winning streak. The Coyotes were eyeing first place in the Pacific Division after finishing in the basement last season. Mike Smith had 16 saves.
Having squandered a two-goal lead, Jenner made it 3-2 late in the second period.
Karlsson gave Columbus another two-goal edge midway through the third. Bursting inside the Arizona zone, Cam Atkinson took a low, hard shot. Karlsson collected the rebound and calmly put the puck past Smith. Five minutes after that, Saad jetted down the left side and ripped a shot from the dot for his seventh to make it 5-2.
The Blue Jackets came out with something to prove, scoring twice on their first three shots, including the first of the game to make it 2-0 early. But the Coyotes potted the next two, tying it early in the second period.
Karlsson finished a 3-on-2 pass from Scott Hartnell 1:39 in on a quick Columbus breakout. Four minutes later on the power play, Johansen scored from the left circle for his second and first in 14 games.
Duclair moved the Coyotes closer at 12:09 with his seventh, one-timing a 2-on-1 saucer pass from Martin Hanzal.
The Coyotes then took over the shots counter and put the home crowd into a lull. Larsson, a defenseman, tied it at 2, following up a tough blocker stop by Bobrovksy at 5:49 that landed in the low slot.
Jared Boll's late poke of the puck under Smith's glove ignited a skirmish that energized the Blue Jackets and their fans. Max Domi immediately came to his goalie's aid but ended up with the extra penalty and Columbus capitalized.
Jenner, near the net, redirected Johansen's shot for his team-leading ninth at 16:14 to make it 3-2.
