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Dispatch

4/16/06

BLUE JACKETS 5 | BLACKHAWKS 2

Vyborny’s inspired play in third gives life to Jackets

Sunday, April 16, 2006

Michael Arace
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

<!--PHOTOS--><TABLE class=phototableright align=right border=0><!-- begin large ad code --><TBODY><TR><TD><TABLE align=center><TBODY><TR><TD align=middle></IMG> </TD></TR><TR><TD class=credit width=200>ADAM CAIRNS | DISPATCH </TD></TR><TR><TD class=cutline width=200>The Blue Jackets’ Alexandre Picard wins the race to the puck during the first period. </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


David Vyborny scored two goals on shots that were snapped off with undeniable skill. He threaded a pass across the slot on a rush to set up Rick Nash at 100 mph. Such was Vyborny’s work last night, all in the third period, when he propelled the Blue Jackets to a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in Nationwide Arena.
What started as a sleepy, sloppy game turned ethereal. Planets aligned. Numbers clicked into place. The Blue Jackets set a franchise record by picking up their 72 nd point of the season. And Vyborny’s mark on club history, such as it is, was put into a bolder print.
Vyborny now shares the team record for career goals with 88 alongside Geoff Sanderson. He is the franchise career leader in points (222), assists (134) and games (392). Will he be here next season? "I want to be back for sure," Vyborny said. "I’ve been here from the beginning. They know me. I know them. I’d love to be here. We’ll see what happens." Vyborny, 31, is a potential unrestricted free agent. The Blue Jackets have exclusive negotiating rights until July 1, when the signing season begins. The haggling between team president and general manager Doug MacLean and Vyborny’s agent, Rich Winter, is at a nascent stage. Soon, it will begin in earnest.
Last night, Vyborny seemed to be saying, "If I’m back, you ought to play me with Nasher."
The game was in a 2-2 deadlock and a somnambulant crowd was stirring only to ride the home team’s ineffectual power play.
Then, at 4 minutes, 15 seconds of the third period, Vyborny came in trailing a rush, took a drop pass from Dan Fritsche and, in a flash, cracked a slap shot from the top of the left circle. Blackhawks goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin appeared stunned to be beaten over the glove.
At 14:03, on another rush, Nash slid a pass to where he knew No. 9 was lurking. Vyborny cranked off another quick slap shot and this time beat Khabibulin on the near side, over the stick.
At 17:58, on yet another rush, Vyborny threaded a pass through the middle to set up Nash for an easy redirection. It was Nash’s 30 th goal of the season.
Another number tumbled into place.
Vyborny’s two goals gave him 20 for the season. His assist gave him 40. His 60 points is the team high.
"It’s my best season ever, and it started so bad," he said. "I didn’t play very well. The team didn’t. I’m excited about 72 points now. We expected a lot more, but I’m glad we’re finishing well. After New Year’s, it was different."
The Blue Jackets were 9-25-1 on Dec. 23; they’re 25-17-3 since. Vyborny has 39 points in those 45 games.
He usually skirts interviewers, but last night he had to sit around and chat. He even lingered — very unusual. He’s one of three remaining original Blue Jackets — Marc Denis and Rostislav Klesla are the others who were around on opening night in 2000 — and even he wonders who will be the last original.
"Before the (March trade) deadline, there were so many rumors," Vyborny said. "I told M.D. (Denis), ‘Who is going to be the last (original)? It was a little joke.
"I hope we’ll both be back. We’ll see."
Nash’s assist was his 22 nd, which matched a career high. Mark Hartigan added a goal, his seventh in nine games. Fritsche had a goal to go with an assist. Captain Adam Foote had an assist, marking his 20 th point of the season.
The Blue Jackets and Blackhawks have a rematch tonight in Chicago.
marace@dispatch.com