Nathan Horton has rewarded the patience of Jackets fans clamoring to see the high-price free agent make his debut with Columbus. The team is 8 - 1 and averaging 3.8 goals/game with Horton in the lineup. He has allowed the Jackets to ice three solid scoring lines and right now they are all producing.
Last night Columbus struck for five goals, the most allowed by record-setting rookie goalie Martin Jones in any game this season. RJ Umberger led the way with two goals, his 12th and 13th of the campaign.
Ryan Johansen tallied his team leading 19th while James Wisniewski (two assists) and Artem Anisimov (one and one) each posted multi-point performances. Horton also scored for Columbus, his third of the season.
Columbus set a franchise record with their seventh consecutive win.
The Jackets man-advantage attack converted again, giving them PP goals in four straight and five of the last six. They have nine man-advantage markers over their last nine contests and boast a success rate of 31% over that span.
For the season the Jackets PP is clicking at a rate of 19.3%, a mark five percentage points higher than last year. A competent man-advantage has been instrumental in the Jackets scoring more goals this year.
Columbus kept their tenuous grip on a playoff spot and have a chance to improve their position with a win Thursday at home against Philadelphia. The Flyers had their game against Carolina postponed due to inclement weather but hope to get the contest in tonight. Philadelphia sits two points ahead of Columbus in the standings but the Jackets have one game in hand. A win would pull the Jackets even with Philadelphia and within one point of the Rangers for second place in the Metro Division.