Five Thoughts: Oliver Bjorkstrand, Sergei Bobrovsky Key Big Road Win to Open 2018

By Dan Dukart on January 3, 2018 at 12:02 am
Blue Jackets forward Oliver Bjorkstrand
Jerome Miron – USA TODAY Sports
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The first game of 2018 couldn't have been any different from the 2017 finale.

After a humiliating 5-0 home loss on New Year's Eve, the Columbus Blue Jackets opened up the calendar year with a 2-1 road win against the Dallas Stars

It wasn't the most exhilarating game ever played, but the Blue Jackets played a textbook road game behind a solid game from Sergei Bobrovsky and two timely goals from Oliver Bjorkstrand in te third period.

Here are five thoughts from the 41st game of 2017-18:


OLIVER BJORKSTRAND SNIPES

The Blue Jackets were trailing 1-0 on the road in the third period when Bjorkstrand came to save the day – something John Tortorella said he's been waiting to see.

After going nine scoreless games dating back to Dec. 12, the Dane scored two goals just 78 seconds apart midway through the third period to give the Blue Jackets a 2-1 lead.

This website (and writer) has been adamant that Bjorkstrand deserves more of an opportunity (and ice time) and has skills that translate at the NHL level. Even tonight, he only played 13:38! He's second on the team in scoring, for crying out loud.

Now imagine what Bjorkstrand's offensive production could be if he wasn't being anchored down by defensive-minded Matt Calvert and Lukas Sedlak.

BOBROVSKY REBOUNDS

Sergei Bobrovsky earned his 200th career victory, and boy, was that type of performance needed. After a lackluster December that culminated with Bobrovsky being effectively benched for the Lightning game, Bobrovsky was back to himself, stopping 21 of 22 pucks for a .955 save percentage. 

As Bobrovsky goes, so goes this team. 

BOONE JENNER, CENTER SOLUTION?

John Tortorella has always preferred to play Nick Foligno and Boone Jenner on the wings, but due to injuries, something had to give.

It's been an up-and-down (mostly down) season for Jenner, but perhaps Tortorella is onto something with the 24-year-old at center. He led all forwards with 20:25 of ice time and won 14 of 20 face-offs (70%). His strong play late in the game was especially notable, and it was evident that Tortorella was going to lean on him down the stretch.

UNSUNG HEROES

Earlier in this very piece, I besmirched the good names of Sedlak and Calvert, suggesting they aren't exactly offensive dynamos. And while that may be true, it's also valid that both players are hugely important to this team and played significant roles tonight. Sedlak had two assists (and managed to frustrate anyone wearing a green jersey), and Calvert added an assist and was deployed to close out the final 30 seconds of the game.

In a similar vein, Sonny Milano was on the ice with under two minutes left holding a one-goal lead. Funny, isn't it? Tortorella just tore down the "Safe is Death" sign and then plays Milano in a tight spot on the road. Clearly, Milano is starting to gain some trust from his head coach.

JUST BREATHE...

It’s been a bizarre couple of weeks. The Blue Jackets have played some of their worst hockey in recent memory, have a number of important players out with long-term injuries, and spent the last month unable to consistently trust the play of the reigning Vezina Trophy winner. And yet, they are still squarely in the playoff picture. 

Coaches often preach staying even-keeled. That is to say, not getting "too high" when times are good, or "too low" when they're bad. 

After this win, instead of getting too excited, you could almost sense a giant exhale coming from the Blue Jackets locker room in their tone and body language. 

41 down, 41 to go.

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