The Columbus Blue Jackets struggled last weekend - after taking five of a possible eight points against the Carolina Hurricanes, the Detroit Red Wings swept the two game set against a desperate playoff hopeful. Fans, pundits, and hockey commentators had all seen enough - the Blue Jackets were left for dead, surely there was no way this was a playoff club. With trade rumors swirling, a daunting schedule on tap against the top of the division, and a coach in a lame duck position, the recipe for disaster was set.
Tuesday night, John Tortorella pulled off his latest excellent coaching maneuver - left for dead, the Columbus Blue Jackets found a way to generate offense, blended the lines with success, and took down the division-leading Tampa Bay Lightning in regulation, clawing back into the playoff picture.