The Line Of Robinson - Kuraly - Olivier Has Been Very Impactful For The Columbus Blue Jackets This Season

While that notion—fact—probably has you screaming about how that could be, the good news is that trio has been a pretty productive line for the Columbus Blue Jackets this season.

As MoneyPuck points out among the forward groups, Robinson - Kuraly - Olivier have been deployed a season-high 351.9 minutes. The next closest is Johnny Gaudreau - Boone Jenner - Patrik Laine at 227.7 minutes and obviously injuries to all three, particularly that of Laine and Jenner, play a significant part in not having played more together. Then it's Gus Nyquist - Jenner - Gaudreau rounding out the top three most utilized lines at 179.7 minutes.

When it comes to the fourth line of Robinson - Kuraly - Olivier, they provide more than most fourth lines might. Larsen has relied heavily upon them late in games, and in all situations, at times this season.

Olivier, all six-foot-one, 217 pounds of him, adds the physically imposing muscle the club lacked at times last season. He's also contributed career-highs across games played (53), goals (four), assists (eight), and points (12) in addition to 77 penalty minutes which is both a personal best and a team-high. Olivier's nine majors are two off the league lead.

Olivier even had his first career game-winning goal to his credit against the Montreal Canadiens on Nov. 17, when he dished out a career-high five shots on net and was two-thirds of the way to the Gordie Howe Hat Trick when he fought Arber Xhekaj.

Things are heatin' up heading into the third period.

Olivier 1, Xhekaj 0 #CBJ pic.twitter.com/UD8Eh1T60C

— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) November 18, 2022

Kuraly leads the team with 150 hits—Olivier is second with 137—and is second with 448 face-off wins (third, 49.6%). Kuraly has 16 points (10 goals, six assists).

Robinson also isn't afraid to throw the body around, racking up 90 hits, and has 14 points (five goals, nine assists). He's averaging 14:01 ice time (all situations) per night but among forwards with at least 500 5v5 ice-time minutes—Robinson has accumulated 583:36—his 2.98 GA/60 trends towards the top. Robinson has a 2.87 xGA/60. He also puts up the second most individual expected goals per 60 among forwards at 0.80. Granted, that’s taking into account his limited opportunities but still.

That fourth line combined for seven points (two goals, five assists) in the 4-1 win over the Dallas Stars last Saturday when Kuraly, wearing the 'A' in Gaudreau's absence, had two assists, Olivier had his first-career multi-point game with one goal and two assists, and Robinson had one goal and one assist.

"Since the (All-Star) Break, they've been one of the best lines for me," Larsen said after last Saturday's win.

"The minutes they've been getting, they've earned every bit of it. Who they're playing against every night, the responsibility. They're physical, they play with an edge, they play a simple game."

While contending hockey teams probably aren't relying on the likes of a typical fourth line, a grinder line, a checking line, an energy line, or whatever the name you have for it, good teams can utilize the services of the greasy, blue-collar, worth ethic these guys provide.

Leadership traits and intangibles in the room and on the ice, never afraid of mixing it up when needed, and will throw the body checks around from night to night.

Columbus gets back to it on Saturday afternoon when they host the Edmonton Oilers at 12:30 pm ET.