Hockey fights may not have as big of an impact on an outcome of a game as some devotees of the sweet science would like to believe. But every once in a while, a well-timed bout – or two — can mean everything.

That was the case on Sunday when first Tanner Jeannot went toe-to-toe with Erik Gudbranson and then, seconds later, Mark Kastelic went at it with arguably the top pugilist in the league in Mathieu Olivier.

At the time, the B’s were trailing the Columbus Blue Jackets, 2-0, and a power-play goal would make it 3-0 before the end of the first period.

But the fights spurred something in the previously napping B’s. They took over the game in the second period, scored three goals in the third period and won it in the shootout. If it wasn’t the B’s best win of the season, it was their most emotional victory.

Both Kastelic and Jeannot regularly put their health on the line and they rarely get such tangible results. When things transpire like that did on Sunday, it can be a satisfying feeling.

“It was huge,” said Kastelic prior to Tuesday’s game against the Dallas Stars. “Give credit to a lot of guys, (Jeannot) and then for everybody to just rally after the first period. It was incredible. For us, you could just feel us get stronger as the game went on. Once we tied it up there, that was huge just to get the one (point) but to get the two, that was the cherry on top. It was a complete team effort, per usual. I think it starts with (Jeannot) to get everybody going. It’s something we can build off.”

It started with 2:25 left in the first period. Jeannot, giving away three inches, locked up with the 6-foot-5, 220-pound Gudbranson in a lengthy heavy weight brawl that Jeannot won by a hard-fought decision.

“To see the guys rally together and come out with a win in a really big game at this time of year, it feels really good,” said Jeannot. “It’s just something we can do to help get a spark and ended up working this time. It’s just a credit to this group. Everybody does their thing. Everybody pulls on the rope and we never give up. It was really nice to get a win.”

Then at the next drop of the puck, Kastelic went with Olivier. As is often the case with Olivier’s opponents, Kastelic took some good shots but he landed a couple of his own.

“Nothing was planned, no, it just happened. It’s easy to have a lot of courage when I see a guy like Tanner do what he did there and I definitely fed off it,” said Kastelic.

Considering Olivier’s track record, Jeannot gave Kastelic kudos.

“He’s got to be the toughest, if not the toughest guy in the league and it takes a lot of guys to stand up to a guy like that,” said Jeannot. “Kasty’s been doing it all year. He’s the heart and soul and he gives everything for us every night. It doesn’t surprise me that he stepped up. You’ve got to show respect for that and give everything you’ve got for a guy like that.”

There was a day in the NHL when a coach, sensing a need for a momentum change, would tap one of his fighters on the back and tell him to go for a skate. The message was clear. These days, it’s left up to the players to know their role.

“I think it’s just kind of a feel thing for guys on the ice, feeling the intensity and emotion of the game. I don’t really think that ever happens anymore. Maybe I’m wrong, but it’s never happened in my career,” said Jeannot. “I know it’s something I can do and something I can do to help my team. So whether it’s defending teammates or getting momentum, whatever it is, you just have to have a feel for it and it’s something you can do to give a spark.”

Though Marco Sturm didn’t direct either Kastelic or Jeannot, their work was appreciated by the coach.

“Those guys have a hard job to do sometimes and I know they’re good players, but they did it for the team. We’re just very lucky to have those kind of guys in the room. They’ve been such important pieces in our locker room,” said Sturm….

After Jeremy Swayman played in the back-to-back over the weekend, Sturm decided to go with Joonas Korpisalo against the Stars on Tuesday. But he admitted it was not easy decision with the way Swayman is going.

“I’d like to play him every game. He’s just that good,” said Sturm. “But we also have to look at what’s coming ahead and how we’re going to use him the best we can. The way he played last game, even down 3-0, it was not even his fault at. But then he made some really good saves at the end of the second period just to keep us in the game. But he’s done’ it all year long. It’s fun to watch.”

The B’s will hit the road for a four-game road trip in games against the Panthers (Thursday), Tampa Bay (Saturday), Philadelphia (Sunday) and Carolina (next Tuesday).

Korpisalo had won his previous start in Buffalo….

Morgan Geekie still leads the B’s in goals with 34 but he went into Tuesday’s game without a tally in 13 games, dating back to March 5.

“He’s still trying to figure out those kind of stretches,” said Sturm. “He had one before and then he came back scoring again and he felt really good. He’s in one right now. He needs to learn how to still be effective for us as a team and not just for Morgan Geekie. He’s such a good person and he knows it and he cares. He also wants to score goals. But I want to see him do the right things and do everything he can to help us win hockey games.”…

Mason Lohrei (upper body) participated in the morning skate but remained out. He’s day-to-day.