Folks, the Blue Jackets are HOT.
They took down the Winnipeg Jets tonight, 4-3, for their sixth win in a row. After being 11-4-4, the Blue Jackets have ripped off a 16-2-4 run that has them in the first wildcard position as the NHL All-Star break arrives.
It wasn't easy sledding against a tough Winnipeg club, but the Blue Jackets got the job done and are heading into the break on a high note.
Let's get into tonight's three things.
Bjork Stays Red-Hot
Oliver Bjorkstrand has six goals in his last three games, and they have been nothing short of huge for the Blue Jackets. Bjorkstrand is emerging as a bonafide star, and his shot is one of the best in the NHL.
Tonight, he notched a goal in the second period to tie the game at 2-2, and he wasn't done yet.
The Blue Jackets are running give-and-goes. This is not a drill. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/r2T7tiI33J
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) January 23, 2020
With the Blue Jackets needing a goal, Bjorkstrand rode out a check, picked his spot, and gave the boys in blue a 4-3 lead they wouldn't relinquish.
OLIVER BJORKSTRAND IS A MAN AMONG BOYS.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/RvmcXPwaN3
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) January 23, 2020
Bjorkstrand has immense potential, and he's looking better every single game.
Fight Til' The End
Resiliency has been a key theme for the Blue Jackets this year, and that was no different tonight. The Blue Jackets came back from a one-goal deficit three times against the Jets: 1-0, 2-1, and 3-2.
When they went down, there wasn't much of a momentum shift. They played like they knew they were going to get that goal right back, and sure enough, they did; all three times.
Their 16-2-4 streak wouldn't be possible without the play of several AHL call-ups, and although the Blue Jackets are getting healthy, their games are still just as close as they've been all season: down to the wire. More often than not, the Blue Jackets have prevailed.
Elvis Perseveres
After a ridiculous hot streak. Elvis Merzlikins crashed down to earth tonight. He gave up three goals on 30 shots, including a couple of soft ones that he'd like to have back.
However, Merzlikins didn't let it cloud his mind. In the third period, with the Blue Jackets clinging to a 4-3 lead, he made several huge saves that kept the two points intact for his team.
Even though he didn't play his best game, he still worked hard enough to keep his club in the game. Merzlikins is now 9-2 in his last 11 games.
