The Columbus Blue Jackets have defied expectations this season, but is it sustainable?
The Columbus Blue Jackets are defying expectations and proving a lot of experts wrong. Can they keep it up though?
Let's take a look at where the Jackets are in terms of key stats, and who is leading the CBJ.
9-9-2 - 20 Points
Points
- Zach Werenski - 20 Points - Tied for 2nd among all NHL defensemen in points.
- Sean Monahan - 20 Points
- Kirill Marchenko - 20 Points
Goals
- Kirill Marchenko - 8
- Sean Monahan - 7 - 3 power play goals
- Werenski, Chinakhov, Olivier all tied - 6
Assists
- Zach Werenski - 14 - 6 power play assists
- Sean Monahan - 13
- Kirill Marchenko - 12
Goalies
- Elvis Merzļikins - 6-5-1 - .894 sv % - 3.08 GAA - 1 Shutout
- Daniil Tarasov - 3-4-1 - .861 sv % - 4.04 GAA
Team Ranks
- Goals For - 69 - 8th in NHL
- Goals For per Game - 3.45 - 8th
- Goals Against - 72 - 27th
- Goals Against per Game - 30th
- Goals per 60 - 3.04 - 4th
- Goals Against per 60 - 2.97 - 4th Worst
- Shots On Goal - 499 - 7th
- SOG per Game - 32.1 - 10th Best
- High Danger Chances For - 59 - 3rd Most
- High Danger Chances Against - 46 - 9th Most
- Takeaways - 94 - 15th
- Giveaways - 274 - 12th Fewest
- Defensive Zone Giveaways - 124 - 10th Fewest
- Power Play - 18.2% - 19th
- Penalty Kill - 77.8% - 20th
- PIMs - 163 - 6th fewest
- Hit Given - 363 - 9th Fewest
- Hits Taken - 353 - 4th Fewest
- Shots Blocked - 279 - 13th Fewest
- 7 Home Wins - Tied for most in Metro Division; 2nd in Eastern Conference
There are still 62 games left in a very long NHL season, but so far, The Columbus Blue Jackets are doing what no one thought they could do - Be competitive and win hockey games, and they're doing it against some extremely talented clubs.
What's Next - The Blue Jackets return home on Wednesday to play the Montreal Canadiens.
What do you think? Please share your thoughts on our forum.