The Columbus Blue Jackets continue their four-game homestand on Saturday with a matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Blue Jackets are coming off a strong performance, winning three of their last four games, including a 7-6 overtime win against Tampa Bay on Thursday. Their offense has been on fire recently, scoring 18 goals in their last three victories.
This turnaround comes after a tough six-game losing streak (0-5-1), and it has helped the Blue Jackets move out of last place in the Metropolitan Division.
They are now tied with Pittsburgh and Philadelphia for sixth place with 18 points, but Columbus has played fewer games than both teams and has more regulation wins (seven compared to four). They are also just one point behind the fifth-place New York Islanders.
In the win over Tampa Bay, defenseman Zach Werenski had a career-best game, scoring the game-winning goal and finishing with five points (two goals and three assists). The 27-year-old leads the team with 13 assists and shares the team lead in points (19) with Sean Monahan.
Head coach Dean Evason praised Werenski for stepping up as a leader this season, especially with captain Boone Jenner and alternate Erik Gudbranson sidelined due to shoulder injuries. Jenner has yet to play this season, while Gudbranson was lost after only three games. “I’ve seen a lot of hockey players,” Evason said.
“I don’t think I’ve seen one like him. Honestly, he’s amazing. He just does it all. When he wants the puck, he goes and gets it. When he wants to defend, he defends.”
The Hurricanes are leading the Metropolitan Division with 28 points, tied with the New Jersey Devils, who have played three more games. Carolina lost to New Jersey 4-2 on Thursday, snapping their three-game win streak.
The Devils scored twice in a 3:30 span in the third period to secure the win. Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour said, “We hung around, that’s basically all we did tonight… you’re not going to win when you do that kind of stuff.”
Andrei Svechnikov and Jack Roslovic scored for the Hurricanes. Roslovic’s goal was his 11th of the season, tying him with Martin Necas for the team lead. Necas, who had his 13-game point streak end in Wednesday’s 4-1 win over Philadelphia, added an assist. Necas, with 31 points, is third in the league entering Friday’s games.
Carolina also announced that goalie Frederik Andersen will need knee surgery, likely sidelining him for up to 12 weeks. Andersen had a 1.49 goals-against average and a 3-1 record in four games this season. He missed much of last season due to blood clots but returned in time for the postseason.
Pyotr Kochetkov has been the primary goalie for Carolina this season. The 25-year-old has a 10-2-0 record with a 2.30 GAA and .907 save percentage.
