COYOTES 2, BLUE JACKETS 0: Mike Smith made a franchise-record 54 saves for his third straight shutout as Phoenix picked up two key points in the playoff race.

Boyd Gordon and Gilbert Brule scored in the second period as Phoenix jumped into a tie with idle Los Angeles for first place in the Pacific Division. Both teams sit one point ahead of San Jose with two games remaining.

Smith made 17 saves in the first period, 22 in the second and 15 in the third while withstanding a late 6-on-4 Columbus’ advantage. He has stopped 136 shots during his shutout streak.

Following a scoreless first period, the Coyotes got all the cushion they would need with two goals in a span of 2:03.

Gordon found space near the far post and finished a feed from Lauri Korpikoski for his eighth goal. Brule then made it 2-0 when he banged a backhand off the post and past Allen York for his fifth tally.

The NHL-worst Blue Jackets were denied in their attempt to win four in a row for just the second time this season.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The shutout was Smith’s eighth of the campaign. … The Coyotes had dropped the first three series meetings this season. … York, a 22-year-old rookie, had won three straight starts. … Columbus captain Rick Nash had a five-game point streak snapped.