Jack Roslovic has been feeling it, folks.
After a two-goal effort on Wednesday evening during the Columbus Blue Jackets' 4-1 win over the Ottawa Senators, Roslovic now has 12 goals on the season as part of a 29-point campaign.
Roslovic from Werenski and Laine! pic.twitter.com/4rWo7xlMfI #CBJ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 17, 2022
Someone's feeling it #CBJ pic.twitter.com/H2waZLtoAk
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 17, 2022
We talked about injuries on the team opening up key opportunities for others to step up and play an increased role. Roslovic has seen his minutes expand, playing 17:36 against the Senators with six shots to go with his two goals on Wednesday.
#NHL GameScore Impact Card for Columbus Blue Jackets on 2022-03-16:#CBJ pic.twitter.com/H3sERrqnyH
— HockeyStatCards (@hockeystatcards) March 17, 2022
He played 16:39 during Thursday's 7-2 loss to the Washington Capitals.
"(I'm) trying to build that structured game and be able to make plays consistently," Roslovic said. "Just make the right plays, be a good all-around player."
With Jenner out of the lineup, Roslovic has seen time on the first line.
The Jenner injury is a huge chance for Roslovic to move up and play top-line minutes, and he's done well so far. That line has been rampant tonight. #CBJ
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) March 17, 2022
"It wasn't even this game, I think the last 15 games I don't think I've really had too much point production," Roslovic said. "I just feel more patient with it, (calmer), and I feel like I'm developing all those skills that will boost me up, and eventually the points and the stats will come. It's all about really working on that defensive game and playing the long game."
There was certainly a chemistry factor on Wednesday for the line of Gus Nyquist — Patrik Laine — Roslovic.
"It was good," Roslovic said. "There was obviously a couple (of) things in the (offensive) zone that you just build over time playing with one another. Communication and reading their tendencies. It was good tonight."
We've also talked about the chance that Roslovic could be among the players Jarmo Kekalainen moves by Monday's 3:00 pm ET NHL Trade Deadline.
Roslovic's elevated play over the past month should increase his value if the Blue Jackets want to entertain offers. Roslovic now has 130 career points (50 career goals, 80 career assists) in 289 career games.
The two-goal game for Roslovic on Wednesday is his second this season, also occurring back on Nov. 22 against the Buffalo Sabres as part of a three-point game. The six shots he had on net Wednesday matched a career-high from last season. He also had six in a game against the San Jose Sharks on Dec. 5.
"I think Jack's been building for a while here," Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen said. "He's done a really good job (on the penalty kill). He's got great feet and so his ability to recover, and put pressure, and he's got a good stick. That helped him find his game a little bit.
"Jack has taken big steps here in the last three weeks."
Roslovic has received more ice-time in short-handed opportunities, including 2:55 during Thursday's game, and 1:58 against the Senators the night before. He's also seeing steady power play minutes while his overall ice-time increases.
Roslovic is in the second of a two-year deal signed prior to the 2020-21 season, with a cap hit of $1.834 million for this season. If Kekalainen holds onto Roslovic past Monday's deadline, it'll be interesting to see what Roslovic's next contract looks like.
Perhaps he's starting to find his game similar to his trade counterpart, Patrik Laine, another high-priority RFA situation to resolve for the club.
The Blue Jackets have one more game ahead of Monday's deadline as they host the St. Louis Blues on Saturday from Nationwide Arena.
