Ryan Craig hadn't played a game in the NHL since the 2010-11 season, when he was a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
But there he was Tuesday night in Detroit, battling in front of Red Wings goalie Jonas Gustavsson, fighting for every inch of real estate he could claim, and ultimately getting his stick on a loose puck and sending a quality backhand chance on goal. Gustavsson made a nice left-pad save on the shot, which was one of very few the Blue Jackets could generate from in tight Tuesday, despite pouring 37 shots on goal overall.
In today's NHL, with defenses regularly collapsing to the front of their collective nets whenever they can set up in their own zone, the willingness to battle in those tight spaces in front often means the difference between coming away with no points or two.
At 6'2, 220, Craig is a big body, and he learned a long time ago that he has to play physically to be effective.
"I think you want to lean on people," said the British Columbia native.
"With the new NHL and the new rules, where you can't necessarily hook and hold to slow people down, I think you want to lean on people, obviously in your defensive end, but also in the offensive end. You want to make it tough on their D and make your team tough to defend by being physical and staying over pucks and having possession."
That's exactly what Craig did to generate one of the Blue Jackets best scoring chances against Detroit. He was physical in front, he stayed over the puck, and he fired off an excellent shot on goal.
The former Brandon Wheat King and Tampa Bay Lightning forward is no stranger to putting quality shots on goal in the NHL.
In his 191 career games, including Tuesday's in Hockeytown, Craig has averaged 14 goals a season in the world's best league. He's an example of the high caliber of depth the Blue Jackets have in their organization. And he's delighted to be back trying to contribute at this level after spending most of the past three seasons in the American Hockey League.
"It's exciting, it really is," Craig admitted.
"It's been a few years to tell you the truth. But you keep doing what you believe makes you a good player and try to help teams that you're on win. It's exciting, and I'm really privileged to be here."
Despite skating the fewest shifts (eight) and having the least time on ice (6:46) of any Columbus player in Detroit Tuesday, Craig had two shots on goal and two hits. By sticking to the formula he's always used -- play tough in the tough areas of the ice -- he made a quietly successful return to the NHL. If not for that excellent save by Gustavsson, the return would have been considerably louder.
Make sure you catch Alison Lukan's excellent piece on Blue Jackets defenseman David Savard right here on FOXSportsOhio.com. Savard is a native of St. Hyacinthe, Quebec, a suburb about 45 minutes from Montreal, and, as you can imagine, he's excited to play against his old hometown team tonight.
"Oh, it'll be awesome," Savard said. "I think from what I've heard Montreal is one of the best cities to play in, so obviously it will be something special for me. Being a fan (of the Canadiens) growing up, it'll just be a nice experience."
