As the Arizona Coyotes got ready to face the Colorado Avalanche on Feb. 26 at Gila River Arena, the affable Christian Fischer stood next to teammate Tyler Pitlick.
Fischer jostled Pitlick during a pause in pregame warmups. They both smiled and laughed about it.
Two things were clear in that moment. First, Fischer is a well-liked teammate. Second, Pitlick has has fit in nicely with his new team, the fourth one of his career.
There's more to that. After the Coyotes seized the momentum in the second period against the Minnesota Wild Saturday night, tying the game at 2, Wild defenseman Ian Cole took out Pitlick's legs with a dangerous trip that drew a penalty.