That's more like it.
You just watched the game. Odds are you thought a certain player had a great night, and you're wondering if the numbers back up what your eyes told you. Even if that's completely false, "Battery Mates" is here to help.
We'll pick our own three stars based on Game Score, a comprehensive individual performance metric developed in the hockey analytics community. For more on how Game Score works, read this.
These are 1st Ohio Battery's three stars from Sunday's 3-0 win in Jersey:
SERGEI BOBROVSKY [Game Score: 2.00]
Not much needs to be said here: Bobrovsky is feeling it right now.
A bit of Blue Jackets history was made in this game: Bobrovsky earned his 34th win of the season which is a new career-best and also the single-season record for a Columbus netminder. Steve Mason's 33-win campaign in 2008-09 was enough to get the Blue Jackets into the playoffs for the first time, and eight years later, that record finally fell tonight. Bobrovsky wasn't asked to do much (20 saves total), but the Blue Jackets needed him in the first period when they took two early penalties and found themselves pinned in their own zone.
Sergei Bobrovsky now owns the franchise record of 34 wins! pic.twitter.com/qBzY0ZkCGY
— FOX Sports Ohio (@FOXSportsOH) March 6, 2017
SAM GAGNER [Game Score: 1.99]
After going 30 games without a goal, Gagner made it a two-goal weekend with an insurance marker in the third period. Playing center between Oliver Bjorkstrand (see below) and Scott Hartnell, Gagner's line again had a strong showing at even strength with all three players at or above 60% Corsi - though to be fair, this was a low-event game and, if we're being honest, kind of boring. His goal tonight was the 16th in a bounce-back season after being signed as a free agent this summer for a whopping $650,000. Yes, Gagner's in line for a raise this summer, but let's just enjoy his significant contribution for the time being, okay?
OLIVER BJORKSTRAND [Game Score: 1.92]
John Tortorella had a great line after the game when asked about Bjorkstrand's play since his recall: "You hope that's our deadline move."
The Blue Jackets got a rejuvenated and more defensively committed version of Bjorkstrand since his emergency recall on Feb. 14, and barring something ridiculous happening, it appears he's going to be with the club for the remainder of the season. Bjorkstrand had a goal and an assist tonight, scoring a gorgeous goal in the second period to make it a 2-0 game, then creating a rebound for Gagner by going to the net just prior to the third goal. Tortorella has often mentioned how the puck follows Bjorkstrand around, and he certainly had it on his stick a lot tonight.
All Corsi/Game Score data courtesy of Corsica.hockey
