It's been a topsy-turvy season for Jack Roslovic.
The 25-year-old forward was a healthy scratch just a few weeks ago, and it was hard to argue with Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Brad Larsen's decision. At the time of the scratching, Roslovic had posted 1-5-6 in 14 games and was consistently inconsistent with his defensive play.
"I think he's crystal clear as to why he's out," Larsen said at the time. "And when he gets back in he's gonna have to fight to stay back in. There's a better version of him. And I know that. I've seen it."
But in recent games, most notably the two wins against Calgary and Los Angeles, Roslovic looked like what we've seen in the past from time to time: an offensively gifted player that can help a team win hockey games. While many players have highs and lows, Roslovic has canyons and cliffs.
After a four-point night on Sunday night, in which he posted 2-2-4 (G-A-PTS), he's currently riding a hot streak in which he's tallied 2-6-8 in his past six games. Don't look now, but suddenly the center is tied for third on the team in scoring (with Kent Johson) with 14 points (3-11-14) in 24 games, trailing only Boone Jenner and Johnny Gaudreau.
It's probably not a coincidence that his sudden uptick in production comes with the recently reshuffled lines. Larsen recently split Gaudreau and Patrik Laine, choosing to play the former alongside veterans Jenner and Gus Nyquist, and giving Roslovic a more potently-offensive player like Laine, with whom he has years of familiarity, to play alongside. Yegor Chinakhov has played well to round out the trio.
Playing three offensive-minded players together comes with obvious pitfalls. When the chances are coming and the pucks are going into the net, it's more palatable to accept the defensive lapses. Against the Kings, Roslovic skated with a confidence that he's not shown often this season. Look no further than his 2-on-1 with Laine in which he sent a perfect no-look pass right into Laine's wheelhouse. That's the sign of a confident player.
Roslovic also had an assist on Jenner's power-play goal, which came off a set bumper play where Roslovic was the shooter.
Jack Roslovic's power play one-timer hits Boone Jenner on its way into the net, doubling the Jackets lead!#CBJ pic.twitter.com/DGZb0BWzcV
— Hockey Daily 365 l NHL Highlights (@HockeyDaily365) December 11, 2022
Momentum can be a funny thing. By the time Laine had scored to make it 3-2, Roslovic had 23 games and almost two full periods and had just one goal to his name all season. Then, in the blink of an eye, Roslovic scored goals number two and three and gave the Blue Jackets a two-goal lead in the third period.
Just in case you missed Jack Roslovic's goal a moment ago, here's another one!#CBJ pic.twitter.com/eoJqVxZ6hk
— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) December 12, 2022
Shorthanded goal
— NHL (@NHL) December 12, 2022
Power play goal
Jack Roslovic (@JRoslovic96) has got four points on the night thus far! pic.twitter.com/PQddrfh8fk
“I was not, obviously, impressed with myself at the beginning (of the season),” said Roslovic. “But it’s also been two, three, or four games of a good stretch for me."
He's right to critique the start of his season. He was a healthy scratch because, even with an injury-riddled team that has limited center depth, it was difficult to justify Roslovic's spot in the lineup. And we've seen this from Roslovic before, so any excitement is justifiably muted. But with more than half the season to go, Roslovic still has time to re-write the narrative on his season - and perhaps his career.
