Columbus defeat L.A. Kings 2-0, ending a four-game losing streak
By Dave Weissman, Columbus Wired

The Columbus Blue Jackets, on the shoulders and pads of goaltender Pascal Leclaire, ended their four-game losing streak defeating the Los Angeles Kings 2-0, taking only 14 shots in the game. Nikolai Zherdev and Fredrik Modin scored for the Blue Jackets; while Pascal Leclaire (3-3-1) stopped all 38 shots faced to earn his first NHL shutout.

Columbus (3-4-1) had been mired in a four game losing streak with their last win coming at Phoenix on October 9th. The loss was the fourth in a row for the Kings whose record dropped to 3-7-2.

Zherdev’s goal with 33.5 seconds left in the first period was highlight real and his 4th goal in just six games this year. It was only the fifth Blue Jacket shot of the period.

“That was big for us to get the first goal of the game,” Jackets head coach Gerard Gallant said. “I don’t think that has happened in a while. It was a big goal at the end of the period and we needed it.”

Anders Ericksson dug the puck out to Rick Nash just outside the defensive zone. Nash skated up ice and saw Zherdev, who had snuck past the defense. It did not look like he would be able to corral the puck, but did and was able to place a nifty backhand over the top of Kings goaltender Dan Cloutier

“He (Zherdev) is such a skilled player” said Cloutier. “Not a lot of guys could turn the puck with one hand, cross back the other way and put it upstairs.”

Columbus was able to only get 14 shots on goal in the game, which was the second lowest in team history for a win, while Los Angeles was peppering Leclaire with shots all night long, including two shots by center Steve Avery that bounced off the post in the third period within a two minute span.

Los Angeles dominated the game and had numerous opportunities, including being awarded the first four power play opportunities in the first period alone and 8 power plays in the game, including a 5-3 rush during the second period which saw Leclaire turn away two Rob Blake slap shots. Columbus was 0-5 on the power play.

“We dominated the game tonight. When you dominate the game, you’re going to win more than you’re going to lose, for sure,” Kings head coach Marc Crawford said. “You have to accept the fact that sometimes goaltenders win games for teams. Tonight, theirs did.”

At 8:15 of the third period, Fredrik Modin cycled the puck to David Vyborny and then found some open space in the slot. Vyborny fed the puck back and Modin slammed a one-timer past Cloutier to put the Jackets up 2-0. It was the second goal of the season for Modin.

Leclaire credited his teammates for their effort in helping him secure his first NHL career shutout. ” The guys were right on it. Not a lot of second chances. Even when I gave up some bad rebounds, the guys were there.”

Columbus next home game is November 1st against Colorado.