It would not be a stretch to say that Oliver Bjorkstrand has been the best, or at least the most consistent, forward for the Columbus Blue Jackets this season.
With 10-10-20 in 34 games, the Dane ranks fourth among forwards in offensive output, trailing only Cam Atkinson (21), Pierre-Luc Dubois (22), and Gus Nyquist (23) in points. His hot start means he's well ahead of his career average for points/game (.59 vs. .49), shots/game (3.4 vs. 2), and time on ice/game (17:10 vs. 12:20).
Last month, we wrote about how his improved play can be traced back to an increased work ethic, and that probably still holds true. Since that article, he's taken his game to an even higher level, posting 5-3-8 in the 12 games since, all while playing well above his career-high with an average-TOI of 18:24.
While his intensity along the boards and in puck battles has certainly improved this season, another part of his game that needs to be mentioned is his willingness to attack the net. In prior years dating back to his years in the WHL and AHL, Bjorkstrand was primarily a perimeter shooter. Simply put, he could afford to be with his lethal release.
That's part of his game has evolved dramatically. Here are a few clips from the past week of Bjorkstrand either parking himself in front of the net or driving the puck to the net. In all three instances, he was rewarded with a goal.
2-0 #CBJ
— Alison (@AlisonL) December 17, 2019
32 seconds in, off the face-off, Bjorkstrand doesnt fail. Not pretty, but he lifts the puck over Holtbys right pad #ALLCAPS pic.twitter.com/CPAfNRtypa
This is what Oliver Bjorkstrand's (@OBjorkstrand) full send looks like and we love it. pic.twitter.com/gMjCVAwPGG
— NHL (@NHL) December 17, 2019
Oliver Bjorkstrand (@OBjorkstrand) and Gustav Nyquist are just loads of fun to watch. pic.twitter.com/ZH5Wqk74fg
— NHL (@NHL) December 18, 2019
It's a bit of a chicken or the egg conundrum, isn't it? Is Bjorkstrand playing with more confidence because he's producing more? And does that mean he's playing more? Or is he playing more because he's producing more? It's probably a bit of all of that, mixed with the opportunity created from some key off-season departures. Bjorkstrand can no longer afford to be part of the Blue Jackets' secondary scoring; he is now counted upon to be a big part of their scoring.
The right-handed winger appears well-positioned to take on that responsibility. He has found some chemistry with Boone Jenner and Gus Nyquist. Aside from the uptick in ice time (which is well-earned, with or without the aforementioned additions) another improvement in his game is the rate at which he's shooting the puck. Per NaturalStatTrick, he's taken 136 shots this season in just 34 games (5v5). At his current pace, he will dismantle his career-high of 249, set in 2017-18.
Then there's this. His 60.28% xGF% (individual expected goals for %) (5v5) is the best on the club, and among the best in the NHL. That's especially noteworthy considering Bjorkstrand's shooting percentage is 9.52% (5v5), which has room to improve. That's good news for the Blue Jackets, who have had a hard time coming by goals.
So this is neat. Per Nat Stat Trick, of all skaters who have at least 400 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time this season, only three have an xGF% north of 60%. Two of them are D (Roman Josi, MacKenzie Weegar.) The third is Bjorkstrand. Leads all forwards. #CBJ
— Mark Scheig (@markscheig) December 19, 2019
Bjorkstrand must continue to play with the same tenacity and consistency that's made him successful this season. If he can continue to play at this level, it wouldn't be a surprise for Bjorkstrand to fulfill his destiny as an annual 30-goal player.
