Blue Jackets get the victory

in interim coach's home debut

Derick Brassard had a goal and an assist to lead the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 4-3 victory over the Phoenix Coyotes on Friday night, giving Todd Richards the win in his home debut as interim head coach.

Rick Nash also scored and Tomas Kubalik and Ryan Russell each had their first NHL goals for the Blue Jackets, who fired head coach Scott Arniel on Monday.

Former Blues goalie Curtis Sanford made 32 saves for the Blue Jackets, who had lost two in a row.

Capitals 4, Lightning 3 — Troy Brouwer scored his first career hat trick as host Washington handed Tampa Bay its sixth straight loss. Steven Stamkos scored his NHL-leading 30th goal for Tampa Bay.

Penguins 4, Panthers 1 — Evgeni Malkin scored what proved to be the winner with 35 seconds left in the second as visiting Pittsburgh snapped a six-game skid.

Sabres 3, Maple Leafs 2 — Jason Pominville scored the go-ahead goal, with 5:47 left in the second period, as host Buffalo snapped a three-game winless skid and ended Toronto's four-game winning streak.

Notebook

Arrest made in fight — Dennis Veteri, the instigator of a brutal fight that ended with New York Rangers fan Neal Auricchio unconscious in a Philadelphia intersection, faces assault charges stemming from the incident following the NHL Winter Classic, police said. Veteri was charged with aggravated and simple assault and other counts stemming from the Jan. 2 fight after the outdoor game between the Flyers and the Rangers.

Crosby on ice — Pittsburgh star Sidney Crosby (concussion) skated for the first time in more than a month, joining teammates for the final 30 minutes of the Penguins' morning skate in Sunrise, Fla.

Other injury updates — Chicago's Daniel Carcillo will undergo reconstructive left knee surgery Tuesday, sidelining him for the rest of the season, because of an illegal hit Jan. 2 by Edmonton's Tom Gilbert, who received a major boarding penalty and a game misconduct at the time, and later was suspended for seven games. ... Columbus put center Jeff Carter (shoulder) on injured reserve. ... Carolina center Jeff Skinner (concussion) might return tonight after missing 15 consecutive games.

Associated Press