Bob McManaman
12/03/2003
© The Arizona Republic

The night may have belonged to defenseman David Tanabe, but left wing Tyson Nash won't soon forget the game he played Tuesday night against the New Jersey Devils.

Nash scored a highlight-film goal early in the second period of the Coyotes' 3-1 victory that is bound to make its way onto ESPN's Plays of the Week.

Defenseman Cale Hulse launched a heavy shot from the right point. Martin Brodeur blocked it high, and the rebound fell at his feet.

Landon Wilson, with rugged Devils captain Scott Stevens on his back, tried to poke it in.

Then Nash vaulted the goalie and, in midair, reached down and swept the puck in for a 1-0 lead.

"It was unbelievable," Coyotes coach Bobby Francis said. "That's how he's going to score, though -- crash and bang, go to the net hard, jumping over people.

"He jumped from goal crease to goal crease, side to side, and ends up with his helmet hanging over his head looking ugly as sin, and that's the way he's going to score goals."

After going 21 games with only one point, Nash now has two goals and two assists in his past three games.

"I don't know if you'll ever see that again," Nash said of his streak, "so I'll just enjoy it while it lasts and ride the wave."

Scary moment

Halfway through the Coyotes' morning skate, a collective hush fell across the team when goalie Sean Burke fell to the ice, writhing in pain after being struck in the left collarbone by a hard slap shot from Paul Mara.

The puck opened a gash, which bloodied Burke's jersey and required a few stitches, but it wasn't enough to make him miss the start against the Devils.

"I'm OK," Burke said. "It just hit me where there isn't a lot of padding, that's all."