Josh Doan scored twice in his NHL debut while Matias Maccelli added two points as the Arizona Coyotes won 6-2 over the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday night.
Doan, Maccelli, Nick Schmaltz, Dylan Guenther and Nick Bjugstad all registered goals for the Coyotes (30-37-5). Karel Vejmelka made 24 saves in the win.
Zach Werenski and Johnny Gaudreau both scored as the Blue Jackets (23-37-12) lost their fifth straight game. Elvis Merzlikins stopped 29-of-35 shots he faced.
Night to Remember
Off of a give-and-go on the power play between Werenski and Johnny Gaudreau, Gaudreau fed the put to the Blue Jackets captain Jenner for a one-timer, powering Columbus in front 1-0 with 9:45 left in the first period.
Arizona got on the board to tie the game 1-1 after the puck whipped around the offensive zone before Sean Durzi set up a diving Maccelli who scored with 5:05 remaining in the second. As a result of this, Maccelli snapped a 13-game goalless drought.
Continuing the Coyotes’ momentum, Doan had a special NHL debut to remember.
After being officially called up yesterday from the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL), he was inserted on a line with Maccelli and Jack McBain. His dad was in attendance at Mullett Arena, Coyotes icon and former captain Shane Doan.
Josh picked off the puck from Werenski and batted it out of mid-air for his first goal as a Coyote and in the NHL. He is also the first Arizona born and raised player to suit up for the ‘Yotes ever.
To interrupt the buzz inside “The Mullett,” Werenski made up for his earlier mistake, firing a wrist shot off the post and in to tie the game up 2-2 just 39 seconds before the middle period ended.
Netting already one goal, Doan double-dipped with a deflection off of a shot from Maccelli with 5:11 remaining in the third.
Bjugstad, Schmaltz and Guenther all scored late in the third period to wrap up Arizona’s victory.
Next Games
Coyotes: Home vs. Nashville Predators (42-25-4) on March 28 at 7 p.m. PT
Blue Jackets: Away vs. Pittsburgh Penguins (31-30-10) on March 28 at 4 p.m. PT
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