Before last night’s contest with the Kings, Mark Letestu was quoted as saying, “I think we’ve found something….. I think we found our identity,” following the Jackets two best performances of the young season. Let’s just hope last night’s performance wasn’t indicative of that new-found identity.

Columbus played an overall solid defensive game in their 2 – 1 loss last night but couldn’t generate any offense or sustained pressure in their offensive zone. After generating a total of 76 shots in their previous games against Edmonton and San Jose, the Jackets got only 13 of their shots on goal last night. Credit needs to go to the Kings as they blocked another 12 attempted shots but in general the Jackets seemed to be lacking the urgency they exhibited in their previous two contests.

Jackets head coach Todd Richards felt the same way. “We didn’t win a lot of battles tonight. There was more urgency in (LA’s) game,” said Richards following the loss.

The impotent offense combined with poorly timed turnovers and undisciplined penalties to doom the Jackets. The Kings first goal was scored when Nikita Nikitin turned the puck over at his own blue line allowing Kyle Clifford and Trevor Lewis to take off on a 2-on-1. Sergei Bobrovsky, perhaps anticipating a pass, was beaten by a Clifford wrist-shot with just 1:20 left in the second period.

Jared Boll then took an undisciplined penalty as the second frame ended leading to a Kings PP opportunity to start the third. Boll took exception with a Clifford hit and went after the Kings winger. Ultimately Boll would drop his gloves and try to goad Clifford into a scrap but with a 1 – 0 lead Clifford wasn’t about to risk the Jackets gaining any momentum from a fight. Boll was assessed the lone penalty, a two minute minor for roughing.

Fedor Tyutin was whistled a holding penalty 0:49 into the Kings PP giving the Kings a two-man advantage for 1:11. Mike Richards would make the Jackets pay when he converted on the opportunity.

Nick Foligno drew the Jackets within one with 2:25 left in the game when he was able to put in a loose puck in front of the net while using his body to shield off the Kings defender. Jack Johnson and Brandon Dubinsky earned the assists on the goal. That's exactly the type of goal that Foligno needs to score more of. Foligno impressed the Kings announcers as they referred to him as "annoying" and as a "pest." That's high praise coming from the other team's announcers.

The Jackets would mount some late pressure with Bobrovsky pulled for the extra attacker but Kings Goalie Jonathan Bernier turned away Nikitin’s last second shot from the point and his defense blocked two other shot attempts to seal the win.

There won’t be time to dwell on the defeat as the Jackets were on a plane late last night and arrived in Phoenix at 1:30 AM in advance of tonight’s game with the Coyotes. More on that in a bit.

Here’s some of what stood out to me last night.

Jared Boll – He took two silly penalties, one of which led to a PP goal for the Kings. My impression was that he had taken quite a few of those this season so I took a look. On the season Boll has taken an average of 2.8 penalties per 60 minutes of ice time while drawing 2.3. That may sound like a lot but we have to remember that rate includes fighting majors; of which Boll has seven this season.

Boll has taken five minor penalties on the year. For comparative purposes, Derek Dorsett has taken 10 minors this season. Perhaps my impression of Boll’s propensity for taking too many bad penalties is erroneous or maybe he’s committed silly infractions at inopportune times. Either way, it’s something to keep an eye on. If he takes bad penalties that result in PP goals against the Jackets need to get him off the ice.

Tim Erixon – He played pretty well last night and seems to be easing into a regular spot in the Blue Jackets D corps.

Artem Anisimov – He left the game after blocking a teammates shot late in the first period. He didn’t return but x-rays show no broken bones. He’s expected to be out of the lineup tonight with Nick Drazenovic making his Blue Jackets debut.

Nikitin – The turnover that led to the Clifford goal was one of two giveaways by the defenseman. He didn’t have his best game last night. He’ll need to rebound tonight against the Coyotes.

Wisniewski – Congratulations to James and his wife Nicole on the birth of their daughter early this morning. Obviously he is not expected to be in the lineup tonight.

John Moore – He’s back in and Cody Goloubef is out tonight.

Mason – Is in tonight. It would be nice if either Mason or Bobrovsky took the #1 job by the reins but that hasn’t been the case. Mason gets another chance to prove himself tonight.

Game Preview:

Phoenix Coyotes – The Coyotes are 6 – 6 – 2 and sit just outside the top-eight in the Western Conference. Phoenix is coming off a 3 – 0 loss to Nashville Thursday.

Leading Scorers:

Radim Vrbata – 11 points
Mikkel Boedker and Oliver Ekman-Larsson – 8 points

In Goal:

Mike Smith – 4 – 4 – 1, 2.78 GAA, 0.900 Save %
Jason LaBarbera – 1 – 2 – 0, 2.83 GAA, 0.908 Save %

Player to Watch:

Ekman-Larsson – Next to Erik Karlsson, Ekman-Larsson might be the most exciting young defenseman in the game today. He is considered untouchable by the Coyotes in any trade talks for good reason. It’s not hard to see him one day contending for a Norris Trophy.

Trivia Time: Which former Blue Jacket holds the team single-season record for plus/minus rating?

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