It's quite possible – likely, perhaps – that we're watching Zach Werenski become even better than we thought he could be.
This season has been his most consistent at both ends of the ice, but the offensive side has been eye-popping. His overtime game-winning goal on Tuesday night at Nationwide Arena was his 16th of the year, equaling his own franchise record (shared with Seth Jones) for goals in a season set in 2017-18.
There are 28 games to play.
Can you kiss a goal? Asking for a friend. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/WcM6D6svG8
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 5, 2020
Werenski's goal gives him 16 goals and 32 points in 47 games. The play he made in OT (see above) to shield the puck from Frank Vatrano, spin free and walk in on Sergei Bobrovsky is something only the elite have the sense (or confidence) to do. He's got four goals in his last two games against Bobrovsky, too, if you'll remember the hat trick performance on New Year's Eve.
Luckily for the Blue Jackets, Werenski is both elite and confident.
Werenski ties his own club record for goals by a defenseman. pic.twitter.com/H1talnbXV3
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) February 5, 2020
