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New York Rangers vs Columbus Blue Jackets: Two surprise teams compete

By Steve Paulus

COLUMBUS, OH - DECEMBER 5: Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers skates against against the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 5, 2019 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - DECEMBER 5: Artemi Panarin #10 of the New York Rangers skates against against the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 5, 2019 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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Pierre-Luc Dubois #18 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates against the New York Rangers
Pierre-Luc Dubois #18 of the Columbus Blue Jackets skates against the New York Rangers /

About the Blue Jackets

So, the Blue Jackets are the hottest team in the NHL.  What’s really impressive about their 19 game run is that they have been in every game.  12 of the 19 games were one-goal games and they went to extra time in six games.

Columbus has also done this with a number of players out with injuries.  They currently have Josh Anderson, Jonas Korpisalo, Ryan Murray, Dean Kukan, Oliver Bjorkstrand, Brandon Dubinsky and Alexandre Texier on injured reserve.

Their offense won’t scare anyone with most of the scoring coming from Pierre Luc-Dubois and Gustav Nyquist.  Zach Werenski has inserted himself into the Norris Trophy discussion with a team leading 15 goals.  On the negative side,  Cam Atkinson scored 41 goals last season and this year has scored just 12.   He’s injured, but after scoring 27 goals last year, Josh Anderson has just one in 26 games.

When you look at the numbers, Columbus is doing this with smoke and mirrors. Well, maybe smoke, mirrors and a goalie named Elvis.  Rookie netminder Elvis Merzlikins got off to a rocky start, but in his last ten starts he has won eight times while allowing only 15 goals including back to back shutouts over powerhouses Boston and Vegas.   Top goalie Jonas Korpisalo is out after knee surgery, but the Blue Jackets haven’t missed a beat.

To replace Korpisalo the Blue Jackets have brought up Matiss Kivlenieks, a 23-year old career minor leaguer, but he hasn’t made an appearance yet and with the All-Star break looming, he probably won’t.

The Blue Jackets will be playing the second game in two nights, after a 5-0 shutout of the New Jersey Devils in Columbus on Saturday.  They totally dismantled the Devils, scoring four second period goals including three in the span of three and a half minutes.

Columbus is doing all of this without league leading numbers on special teams.  They are scoring at a 17.5% clip. 23rd best in the NHL.  Their penalty kill is better, functioning at a 10th best 82% success rate.  Columbus doesn’t take a lot of penalties, they have been shorthanded 133  times this season, fifth fewest in the league.  To compare, the Rangers lead the league being shorthanded 169 times.

Since their 11-14-5 start, the Blue Jackets have been one of the best teams in the NHL and they show no signs of fading.  They’ve withstood injuries and departures.  John Tortorella has done a masterful job of coaching and they have to qualify as the surprise team of the year, just as they were the surprise team of last spring’s playoffs, sweeping the Lightning in their first round series.

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