The Blue Jackets are red hot – and so is a Hart Trophy candidate out west. Let's take a look at who's lighting up the score sheet in this week's Mid-Week Heat Check.
Columbus Blue Jackets: A Lot Of Guys, Actually
Normally, this space would be reserved for the one player who has gone above and beyond for the Blue Jackets over the last week or so. With the Jackets having now won nine in a row, though, there are enough deserving candidates to just list them here.
Over the last week (four games played), the Jackets have five players who have scored at a point-per-game pace or above.
Artemi Panarin stands out, obviously, after last night’s four-point game. In the last four games, he’s got a 4-3-7 line – thanks in part to his hat trick last night.
Proof that you should always stick with it. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/KdxeJiwdZI
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 21, 2018
Cam Atkinson had a hat trick of his own last week, and has a 4-1-5 line over his last five. Thomas Vanek has been great as well, with a 1-4-5 line, and his line has suddenly clicked. One of the beneficiaries of Vanek’s play has been Boone Jenner, who has three goals and an assist over the last week. Then, there’s Nick Foligno, who has five assists in his last four games, showing that he’s capable of being more than a fill-in at center.
This team’s veterans are red hot – Brandon Dubinsky notwithstanding – and that’s sparked this streak. If they can keep it up, the Jackets may sneak up on Washington and claim the division.
Nathan MacKinnon - Colorado Avalanche
Taylor Hall has deservedly gotten plenty of Hart Trophy hype, but what Nathan MacKinnon is doing out in the Rocky Mountains is arguably more impressive, given what the Avalanche were last year.
With six goals and four assists over his last five games, MacKinnon is showing no signs of slowing down. He’s missed seven games, yet sits a stone’s throw away from the current scoring leader, Nikita Kucherov, with 91 points to Kucherov's 94.
The Avalanche were historically bad last year, dealt a bona fide top-six center in Matt Duchene, and are now in a playoff position in the thunder dome that is the Western Conference. Without the 22-year-old MacKinnon, they’d likely be vying for a lottery pick once again.
Follow 1st Ohio BatteryFacebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube
