After a bit of a gimme game against the Sabres to start the season, the Blue Jackets had their first real test of the year hosting the defending Eastern Conference champs in the Rangers.
They did get a bit of a break with Cam Talbot starting rather than Henrik Lundqvist, but they were still a worthy opponent nonetheless.
After a close 30 minutes, Columbus pulled away in the 2nd half of the game outscoring the Rangers 3-1 in the final 30 en route to a 5-2 win.
10 takeaways:
1. Columbus may be missing two top-9 (perhaps top-6) forwards, but you wouldn't know it from watching them. The Jackets have eight goals in their first two games of the season, and are 2-0 as a result. They'll have a tough opponent Tuesday in Dallas, but so far so good.
2. Cam Atkinson has to be one of the most underrated players in hockey. He's good in possession, he skates with the best of them and puts up points yet doesn't get noticed. Once again he put his best foot forward for this team scoring a pair of goals (the game-winner and the empty-net clincher) while registering five shots in less than 15 minutes of ice. Columbus also generated 61% of the shot attempts while he was out there at even-strength. Super Cam, indeed.
3. I think the Blue Jackets have to be pleased with Ryan Johansen's start to the season with all things considered. Next to no practice time with the team yet here he is with three points in two games. He won over 60% of his draws and was a positive possession player in both games, too. And he's only getting better.
4. If Marko Dano continues playing like this, he'll be in the conversation for the Calder Trophy. He recorded his 1st career goal and assist vs New York, and was exceptional in the possession game, too. He drove play to the tune of 10 shot attempts for and just one against in 12 minutes of ice.
5. I've been impressed by Dalton Prout's play early on. Obviously it has only been two games and he has a pretty good partner in Fedor Tyutin, but he's been pretty sound defensively and has done very well in the possession game. It'll be interesting to see who sits when Ryan Murray gets back.
6. Sergei Bobrovsky through two starts: 45-48 for a .937SV% and a 2-0 record. Not bad.
7. Not sure what Chris Kreider was doing when he went after Jack Skille for a seemingly accidental hit. Skille has been good this year, but that's a trade off Columbus will take all day; especially when defending a lead.
8. Is it really a surprise Rick Nash potted one against his former team? Probably not, but I'm sure Blue Jackets fans slept easy knowing it didn't matter.
9. David Savard played a team-high 24:43 and has played at least 24 minutes in both games thus far. Looks like Todd Richards is planning on putting a big workload on him, and he seems ready for it.
10. The only Eastern Conference team with a 2-0 record and a better goal differential: New Jersey.
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