The Columbus Blue Jackets got back to their dominant ways when they faced off against the New York Islanders Saturday night. Despite a slow start, they were able to take it to a Metro division opponent and win 6-2 in their sixth consecutive win, putting them at third in the division and, wait for it, fourth overall in the league.
Good, Better, Best
Good: Jack Johnson
This has been a renaissance season for Johnson thus far. He has been ridiculed in years past for his shot differential metrics and even his +/-. It makes sense, in both areas he was completely terrible. While his shot differential numbers on the season still aren’t great at the moment, different parts of his game are making a real difference this year. He is noticeably more active in the neutral zone and has been pinching in the offensive end more often this year. Tonight was no different than his overall year, he had a 56% even strength CF rating, one goal and one assist. He carried play early when the outcome was still in question, and had an absolutely beautiful pass to Cam Atkinson for the second Jackets’ goal. Not a bad nights work for him, a once stagnant career seems to be revived.
Better: Seth Jones
While Johnson is making all of the difference on the second pairing, Jones is doing the same on the first pairing. Zach Werenski is the person currently getting all of the press clippings but Jones seems to be the rock. Jones had a goal and an assist on the evening all while playing 22:25 tonight, the highest total on the team. His CF% was the highest among defensemen on the team too. Where Seth Jones goes, so go the Jackets and for now he is helping them become a winner.
Best: Cam Atkinson
It doesn’t matter where you place Cam Atkinson, he will find a way to put the puck in the back of the net. Last night he did it shorthanded and tonight he did it at even strength. His play has been very dynamic this year and has been a surprising defensive stalwart as well. One goal and one assist on the night gives him an even larger lead in the team scoring race. It isn’t likely that Atkinson will remain a point per game all season long, nonetheless it remains impressive that he has remained a beacon of good play throughout the season thus far.
Tweet of the Game:
https://twitter.com/RockmanHalo/status/807776700071350273
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