The Columbus Blue Jackets continue their four-game homestand on Saturday with a game against the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Blue Jackets come into the contest against their Metropolitan Division foe having won three of their last four games, including a 7-6 overtime victory over Tampa Bay on Thursday. Columbus’ offense has picked up the pace recently, scoring 18 goals in the three most recent wins.
That recent surge, coming on the heels of a six-game losing streak (0-5-1), has helped the Blue Jackets escape the basement in the Metropolitan. While now tied with Pittsburgh and Philadelphia for sixth place with 18 points, Columbus has played fewer games than either of those teams and has more wins in regulation (seven versus four each). The Blue Jackets are also a point away from catching the fifth-place New York Islanders.
Columbus defenseman Zach Werenski enjoyed a career night against the Lightning on Thursday. The nine-year pro scored the game-winning goal to secure his first career five-point game (two goals, three assists).
The 27-year-old leads the team with 13 assists and is tied with Sean Monahan for a team-best 19 points.
Columbus coach Dean Evason noted that Werenski has taken on more of a leadership role this season as both captain Boone Jenner and alternate Erik Gudbranson are out indefinitely with shoulder injuries. Jenner has yet to play this season, and Gudbranson was lost after just three games.
“I’ve seen a lot of hockey players,” Evason said of Werenski. “I don’t think I’ve seen one like him. Honestly, he’s amazing. He just does it all. When he wants the puck, he goes and gets it. When he wants to defend, he defends.”
Carolina currently leads the Metropolitan division with 28 points. The Hurricanes are tied with the New Jersey Devils, who have needed three more games to get to 28 but defeated the visiting Hurricanes 4-2 on Thursday. The Devils scored twice in a 3:30 third-period span to end Carolina’s three-game winning streak.
“We hung around, that’s basically all we did tonight,” Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said after the loss. “And then we got back in the game, and then we kind of have a gaffe, a game-winning goal behind the net. You’re not going to win when you do that kind of stuff.”
Andrei Svechnikov and Jack Roslovic scored for Carolina. Roslovic’s goal was his 11th of the season, tying him with Martin Necas for the team lead. Necas, who saw his 13-game point streak end in Wednesday’s 4-1 win at Philadelphia, finished with an assist. The 25-year-old Czech Republic native ranks third in the league with 31 points entering play Friday.
Also on Thursday, Carolina announced goalie Frederik Andersen would have knee surgery that will likely keep him out for up to 12 weeks. Andersen has a 1.49 goals-against average and a 3-1 record in four games this season. He missed more than half of last season due to blood clots but returned in time for the postseason.
Pyotr Kochetkov has handled most of the duties between the pipes for Carolina this season. The 25-year-old is 10-2-0 with a 2.30 GAA and .907 save percentage.
