Avenging in some way an embarrassing 7 - 0 trouncing 10 days ago, the Blue Jackets dominated Edmonton, at least through two periods, and earned a 4 - 2 win Friday night. The Jackets PP, ranked 12th in the NHL converting at close to 20%, played a big role in the win coming through with two more goals on five opportunities last night with Artem Anisimov and Nick Foligno both tallying on the man advantage. Columbus' fourth goal, scored by Jack Skille, was potted on a delayed penalty to Edmonton.
The Jackets began play with several regulars out of the lineup due to injury. Marian Gaborik (knee), Brandon Dubinsky (foot), Jared Boll (foot) and Derek MacKenzie (back) were all out of the lineup. Injuries have tested the depth of the organization this season and the Jackets haven't responded well enough in the face of this adversity as their record attests.
Ryan Johansen, more on him later, put the Jackets on the board in the first period when he roofed a loose puck over Ilya Bryzgalov for his ninth goal of the season. It was Johansen's seventh multi-point game of the season. The third-year pivot leads the team in goals and is tied with James Wisniewski in scoring with 18 points.
Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 25 of 27 shots and earning his ninth win of the season. His numbers (.906 Save % and GAA of 2.81) are way off last year's pace and he needs to play with more consistency. Over his last eight starts Bob has alternated solid performances with poor ones.
Date - SA - GA - Result 11-14 - 31 - 3 - Loss 11-17 - 30 - 1 - Win 11-19 - 18 - 4 - Loss 11-20 - 24 - 1 - Win 11-22 - 35 - 6 - Loss 11-25 - 18 - 0 - Win 11-27 - 29 - 4 - Loss 11-29 - 27 - 2 - Win
Back to Johansen: It sure looks like the 2010 first-round pick is developing into the true #1 center the club has desperately sought since the franchise's inception. On the season he has 18 points in 26 games, a pace that would prorate to 28 goals and 56 points over a full season. Those numbers aren't all that impressive but after netting just a single assist in his first five contests, Johansen has tallied 17 points over his last 21. That pace would result in a full season total of 66 points (35 goals and 31 assists). Those numbers are pretty solid but perhaps not usually associated with those of a #1 center. However Johansen brings more than just offense to the table.
Take a look at Friday's game for example. Johansen not only tallied a goal and an assist, he led the team in shots on goal with five and won 11 of 17 faceoffs. He saw 18:07 of total ice time with 3:27 coming on the PP and another 2:40 while the team was shorthanded. He plays in all situations, wins key faceoffs and his offensive game is blossoming. That's the overall game of a true top line center.
The advanced stats also reflect well on Johansen's performance. Among all Blue Jackets forwards with at least 10 games played, Johansen is second in QoC (Quality of Competition) and Relative Corsi. That means he helps his team win the puck possession battle and does so playing against strong competition. Those are qualities you want from your #1 center.
Tonight the Jackets travel to Boston to play the Eastern Conference's top team. The Bruins are coming off a 3 - 2 matinee win yesterday over the New York Rangers. Curtis McElhinney will be in goal for the Blue Jackets.