Jack Roslovic and Ivan Provorov lead the Blue Jackets in points at six apiece, just as everyone scripted it. The team has been able to bounce back from two poor performances against Philadelphia and Detroit and followed it with solid efforts and is currently on a points streak of four straight games. Kent Johnson has been scratched two times, not for the reason many believe. Andrew Peeke and Adam Boqvist have been replaced by rookie David Jiricek who has played very well. What else can we learn from the start of this season? Let’s take a look.
While Roslovic and Provorov do lead the team in points, that is not a bad thing. The fact that Johnny Gaudreau and Patrik Laine are yet to heat up should give fans and the organization hope that once they get going the team will be even stronger. Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner is off to another solid start with 4-goals, 1-assist and 5-points. Emil Bemsrom has been a pleasant surprise and a welcomed addition to the power play. Alexander Texier and his playmaking ability has aided Adam Fantilli’s growth.
Back to Kent Johnson, The reason Johnson has been scratched twice and will be more times is because the organization wants him to get stronger, it is nothing performance related. Johnson is being put through off-ice physical workouts and there is no reason to have him play in games if he is sore from a workout, this is why he has been scratched.
The Columbus defense is a big reason the team has been able to turn losses into wins and get games to overtime. Zach Werenski is paired with Damon Severson on the top line, Ivan Provorov and David Jiricek are on the second line and Jake Bean along with Erik Gudbranson are on the third line. Werenski and Severson rank at 69.4% good for fourth overall. Provorov and Jiricek ranked 19th at 58.7% and Bean and Gidbranson were 49th at 50.9%. It is Jiricek and Bean’s play that has really helped the defense out. Bean has clearly taken a step forward in his development and Jiricek is playing like a veteran and not a rookie.
Goalies Elvis Merzlikins and Spencer Martin have played well at times.
Goaltending coach Niklas Backstrom must get some credit here for getting Merzlikins to stay in the crease more and not come out to challenge shots. Martin has played well and is a solid backup.
The Blue Jackets power play has started to come to life under Mark Recchi coming in at 20.0%. Emil Bemstrom seems to have found a new lease with two power play goals. While it is still a work in progress the Columbus special teams unit is trending in the right direction.
Head coach Pascal Vincent has brought accountability to the forefront. Vincent has laid out his expectations, worked hard in practice, production in games, and being a good teammate. If that is lacking it will be hard to see game action. Look no further than Damon Severson who made a bad pass against the Red Wings who took the puck and scored. Severson was on the bench for the third period. The players like Vincent and respect what is bringing to the organization.
