The Columbus Blue Jackets find themselves above the .500 mark for the first time in the 2019-20 regular season after a 4-3 road victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday night.
Center Alexander Wennberg was one of the biggest question marks entering the year, but he's been a difference-maker through nine games. He's scored two goals already, the same amount he notched in the previous campaign in 75 games played.
"I think he’s tired of being talked about and talked to and tired of all the questions, and is certainly coming in with a different focus," head coach John Tortorella said during his interview with Anthony Rothman and Bobby Carpenter on the Hockey & Hounds segment of Carpenter & Rothman on 97.1 The Fan. "I’ve driven him crazy for 2 years. I’m really happy he’s going about his business. He’s played so very well and that’s very important for our team up the middle."
Alexander Wennberg ties it up and continues his stellar start to the year.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/it8zTUXogP
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 22, 2019
Wennberg hadn't been living up to expectations, racking up a combined 60 points the past two seasons after putting up 59 points in the 2016-17 campaign when the club had an all-time high of 108 points.
"I think he’s being rewarded," Tortorella said about Wennberg. "It’s nice to see him get a couple goals early.”
It's not time to make any conclusions without even hitting the double-digit mark in games, but there's no doubt Wennberg's five points (2 goals and 3 assists) is reason for optimism in "The Capital City".
