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Post Battle #56: That’s more like it

February 14, 2018, 3:34 PM ET [4 Comments]
Paul Berthelot
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Final Score: Blue Jackets 4 – Islanders 1

Game Summary

Will you look at that, the Jackets have managed to string back to back very impressive games and have two wins to show for it. The put a pounding on the Islanders putting up 51 shots, including 26 in the first period, and unlike their last game against these Islanders, Jaroslav Halak did not channel the 2010 Montreal Canadiens version of himself, and the Jackets managed to come away with a 4-1 win.

The Jackets are finally starting to see some goals drop for them after nothing has gone their way the last month or so. They completely dominated the Islanders pretty much right from the start of the game, and when things looked tough they stuck with it and came away with a big two points.

Oliver Bjorkstrand got the ball rolling scoring his 10th of the season, on the power play.




Bjorkstrand has a real nice shot and he's been using it much more in recent games. He has 10 shots in the last two games and has two goals and four points in those games. He’s quietly had a nice season but if he can keep finding the back of the net like this, he could be the goal scoring winger this team is looking for.

The theme of the second period had to be the young players. Bjorkstrand was set up by Zach Werenski and Pierre-Luc Dubois. On the second goal, Werenski and Bjorkstrand hooked up again, this time setting up Dubois.




That was Dubois’ 13th of the season, and the Jackets second power play goal of the game. That unit with the kids out there was really good and should probably see some more ice time, with the top unit continuing to struggle.

If the second period belonged to the youth, the vets took control of the third. Brandon Dubinsky scored the Jackets third goal, off some great work down low.




Johnny Boychuk is all over Dubinsky on this play. Dubinsky though stays with it gets the puck to the front of the net and slides it past Halak. Dubinsky is one of those veterans who’s had a tough go this season, but his play is starting to pick-up. The goal gives him three points in his last four games.

Another veteran who has heated up is Cam Atkinson. He put the icing on the cake scoring the final goal, doing what he does best, streaking to the net.




Artemi Panarin puts the pass in the perfect spot hitting Atkinson in stride. Atkinson is does not miss many of those. Since he's returned from injury, he's back to being Cam Atkinson. Since returning he’s played eight games, and has three goals and three assists. He's also been firing the puck more, averging over four shots a game over that span.
Up next for the Jackets is a big test against the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight. The Leafs are fresh off of a big win themselves over Tampa Bay. This should be a highly entertaining game.

Stat of the Night




Stats courtesy of Natural Stat Trick and Hockey-Reference.

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