Rick Nash impacts in return, Sundin's catching up

I'm not usually big on high-scoring affairs unless I'm the one doing the scoring, but the Blue Jackets visit to General Motors Place Sunday night was decidedly the best of the four Sunday NHL features.

Rick Nash's return was kept somewhat quiet (at least to me which resulted in me failing to start Nash on my fantasy team) but the results were anything but.

The Blue Jackets captain looked understandably fresh and dominant throughout last night's game. He finished the game with a goal and two assists in nearly twenty-four minutes of ice time.

Nash clinched the game in the shootout beating Roberto Luongo easily on the stick side. Recently acquired from Atlanta (for blue liner Clay Wilson), Jason Williams did the same in Columbus's first shootout attempt.

Scott Howson made a great move acquiring Williams who can only help the league's worst power play. He's already fitting in nicely and since he only got a one-year deal from Atlanta, Williams is playing for both the postseason and his next contract.



As for the Canucks, they quickly rebounded from giving up two early third period goals to tie the game with two unanswered tallies of their own, off the sticks of Henrik Sedin and defenseman Kevin Bieksa.

For one night anyway both Roberto Luongo and super-rookie Steve Mason each looked human.

Bieksa appears fatigued both physically and mentally. He had an awful night in spite of the two-point performance.

Mats Sundin, who looks bottom-heavy in his new uni, was the best he's been since debuting as a Canuck two weeks ago.

Vancouver next plays in San Jose on Tuesday. Columbus visits Edmonton tomorrow night and travel to Calgary for a game with the Flames before the break as well. The Jackets will have to take another swing through western Canada at the end of next month.

We are now 33 days from Mats Sundin's return to Toronto. On CBC's Hockey Day in Canada no less.

ChrisBlock@TheThirdManIn.com