There's not much to be positive about when regarding the Columbus Blue Jackets. Based on points percentage, they sit in last place in the Eastern Conference and 30th overall, staring down their fourth straight season without playoff hockey. They've also lost three games in a row, including two games where they held a third-period lead. However, if there's one positive to take from Thursday's 7-3 loss to the Islanders, it's the play of Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson.
Fantilli recorded two goals and an assist while Johnson posted a pair of helpers, and both players, along with linemate Emil Bemstrom were on the ice for all three Blue Jackets goals.
#CBJ Fantilli (6) goal pic.twitter.com/qmK6bK9cpN
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) December 8, 2023
#CBJ Fantilli (6) goal pic.twitter.com/qmK6bK9cpN
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) December 8, 2023
According to moneypuck.com, Fantilli and Johnson had five-on-five on-ice expected goal shares of 77.5% and 58.5%, respectively. This comes one game after Fantilli played just 10:11 and Johnson logged 8:06.
I asked #CBJ HC Pascal Vincent why he limited the ice time of David Jiricek (10:25), Adam Fantilli (10:11), and Kent Johnson (8:06) on Tuesday.
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) December 6, 2023
His response: "We were playing [well]. The team was playing [well]. We had a matchup, and that's what happened..." (1/2)
On Thursday, Fantilli played 14:51 and Johnson played 14:58. For Fantilli, that's 27 seconds below his season average, but for Johnson, it's 2:31 above his season average and a season-high. Per hockeystatcards.com, Fantilli and Johnson both posted season-high game scores at 3.96 and 2.27, respectively.
With the Jackets already being out of the playoff picture, the development of their young players, especially Fantilli and Johnson, is paramount. They earned their increased ice time on Thursday.
Will they continue to do so?
