Turnovers once again proved costly for the Phoenix Coyotes, who suffered a 5-2 drubbing at the hands of the lowly Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday at Jobing.com Arena.

"We're not good enough," Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett said. "The emotional engagement that we can bring in for short minutes, why can't we have that the whole time? That's puzzling our group right now."

After committing similar mental errors in Thursday's loss to Calgary, the Coyotes broke down again on defense allowing Rick Nash two breakaway scoring opportunities -- and the talented forward didn't miss.

Nash, who's wish to be traded was denied by the Blue Jackets, scored two goals while also registering an assist in the contest.

After trailing 2-0 into the second period, the Coyotes showed some brief signs of life when Chris Summers' fight seemed to rally his teammates.

Tippett wasn't necessarily pleased with the fighting but instead the physical presence Summers and Shane Doan exuded beforehand.

"I like the fact that Doan went out and finished a check, Summers went out and finished a check, that was the only time you could really see our group engage in what we were trying to do out there," Tippett explained.

The Coyotes eventually tied the game 2-2 after two periods of play before stumbling in the third period.

Coach Dave Tippett acknowledged his team lost critical battles along the boards, couldn't generate scoring chances and failed to respond after the Blue Jackets took the lead in the third.

"They got the third goal and that's a lucky break about three bounces going in," Tippett stated. "You think we'd turn it around and push a little bit. That's the way it's going for us right now."

For the Coyotes, who have two crucial upcoming road games, it's imperative they regain their focus and tighten up their play.

"It's two games; we recognize that we don't have two games to give away," captain Shane Doan said. "At the same time we have to go back to what was making us successful for the previous 11 [games]."

The Coyotes spent too much time in the neutral zone and weren't on the right side of pucks.

While Saturday's loss surely stings, the Coyotes know it's best to have a short memory and shift their focus back to what made them click in February.

"I think it's just that we don't have enough puck time," forward Lauri Korpikoski said. "We created a lot of goals from momentum but we couldn't gain one today."