After an above average February results, the line continues to be drawn down the middle on the success of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the new calendar year. Columbus remains a consistent team, between a win and a loss through a two game pattern.
Columbus completed the end of the second month with a 7-3-0 record, with 39 goals scored, and 34 against in the month. Patrik Laine wrapped up an 11-game point streak, with 13 goals and 8 assists. Boone Jenner and Zach Werenski both had 5-game point streaks. Jean-Francois Berube played his his NHL game in over 1400 days. Laine has jumped to third in team scoring, only behind Jakub Voracek and Boone Jenner this season, though Patrik leads in points per game percentage, since he is over a point per game due to injury at the start of the season.
In the first month, the Jackets were 5-9-0, scoring 41 goals, and allowing 51 on the top 3 goalies. However, Columbus was 3-2 on the road. Tarasov went down on day one, and has been ruled out the rest of the season since. This was also the month where Laine’s tear began, and was named the third star of the month just an hour ago.
Laine registered 25 points in 24 games in 2022, adding 15 goals and 10 assists to his line. His third star stars are 9 goals and 6 assists in 10 games. Jenner had 11 points in 10 games, keeping him atop the leaderboard in Columbus point department. Voracek remained a point per game with 10 in 10. Werenski had 8 points in 7 games, and has been out of the lineup since February 22. After a hot January, Gus Nyquist had only 6 points in 10 games. Adam Boqvist is the first defenseman with 10 goals on the season, and that came in the same game Werenski went down.
The two rookie forwards have been quiet since the calendar turn, with only 8 goals combined thus far. Time for the vets value to go up before they depart.
March of the Rumor Drum
Per Eklund, Columbus is heavy on Brendan Gallagher. Controlled contract values are a big desire for the brass, as they settle in and have more miles to get out of these types of players. Price is unknown.
Sources still suggesting the Coyotes and Jackets talks on D Chychrun. The Kings appear to be the favorite from what I’ve been gathering. Rangers, Bruins, Ducks, Leafs, Senators, and Panthers have called as well.
Domi and Pittsburgh is still a headline. First heard this in the summer. Ottawa, Toronto, and the Rangers are also in.
Korpisalo and the Western Conference: it’s a two team race from sources between Colorado and Edmonton.
Nothing on the depth roster. Keep your eyes on Kukan, Danforth, Gaunce, Berube, and Harrington. Maybe Gerbe will play? Maybe? No update there either.
Tonight, the Jackets battle the Devils in Newark, and the game is also available on ESPN+ and Hulu.