The Columbus Blue Jackets had a come from behind win against their biggest rival on Saturday, and they made history in the process.
With their win over the Penguins, Columbus set a new franchise record with nine consecutive wins.
Despite all the injuries they've gone through this season, the team has a very realistic chance to surpass 40 wins (currently at 39), with four games left and Toronto and Buffalo still on the schedule.
Some thoughts:
1) It's nice to see Columbus rebound the way they have of late. It would have been easy to mail it in with the team no longer playing for a postseason spot, but they seem as motivated as ever. The return of several key pieces certainly helps, but the team legitimately seems interested in using this time to make a statement, and end a year full of bad with some good. It's been refreshing to watch.
2) If the Blue Jackets can stay healthy, and add a capable defenseman or two this summer they're going to be an absolute handful next season. They're loaded with talent up front, and Sonny Milano, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Kerby Rychel and co. aren't far off from being NHL ready, either. It wouldn't surprise me to see them move a body or two out to a) clear room and; b) address the team's defense core in the process.
3) What can you say about Nick Foligno? After recording a hat trick against the Pens, he now has 30 goals, and is a top-10 scorer in the NHL with 70 points. He's not just playing well offensively, either, as both of his non-empty net goals came as a direct result to turnovers that Foligno forced. It's a shame his excellent season won't lead to a playoff appearance.
4) Marko Dano split yesterday's game playing on two different lines and, well, the results turned out OK. Dano recorded a pair of assists to give him 11 points in his last 11 games, and at this point you could put him on a line with myself and a guy from the corner store and I'm convinced he'd still produce. Todd Richards made the right move putting him back in for Jared Boll, though I don't think he should have been taken out to begin with.
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