This is probably the kind of start Ivan Provorov had in mind.
One of the newest Columbus Blue Jackets, the 26-year-old, eight-year pro has five points, all assists, through the first six games of the season.
Provorov's latest assist came during Tuesday's first-period power-play goal by Emil Bemstrom, a true Bemstrom bomb. Adam Fantilli picked up the secondary assist.
Bemstrom's first of the season, assisted by Ivan Provorov and Adam Fantilli #CBJ pic.twitter.com/iPOId1QH53
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 25, 2023
Provorov's five points tie him for the team lead with Boone Jenner (four goals, one assist). He's on a three-game points streak.
Brought in over the off-season to help shore up a depleted blue line, Provorov is among the team leaders in xGA/60 (2.22) and he's ninth in GA/60 (2.47) per Natural Stat Trick.
In Tuesday's 3-2 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks, Provorov had one assist, three blocked shots, and played 23:20. He also had 4:27 on the power play and 4:44 on the penalty kill.
#NHL GameScore Impact Card for Columbus Blue Jackets on 2023-10-24:#CBJ pic.twitter.com/SXuXd4WM6b
— HockeyStatCards (@hockeystatcards) October 25, 2023
Provorov is leading the team in 5v5 ice time per game (16:13).
In addition to leading on the ice, he's doing what he can to lead off of it, helping guide the youngsters under his wing. Provorov has been playing with David Jiricek on the blue line in the early going.
While Provorov has 538 career games and 222 points (65 goals, 157 assists) under his belt, and Jiricek has nine career games to his credit, the steady veteran is able to teach the young 19-year-old and show the way.
"Jiricek is looking at Provorov and he's...'okay, that's what it takes to play at this level consistently,'" head coach Pascal Vincent said before Tuesday's game against the Ducks. "Provorov is a good leader in our room."
On a very young team, it's vitally important to have a strong veteran presence.
— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) October 25, 2023
Ivan Provorov is providing that leadership early for the @BlueJacketsNHL and is having a strong positive influence upon David Jiricek.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/OOUCULOUuO
"I try to talk to (Jiricek), obviously playing together, try to talk to him as much as I can," Provorov said. "There's a period of time where you gotta kinda figure it out on your own, too, because it's definitely an adjustment.
"When guys need help or I have advice I can give, or there's something I've already been through before, that the younger guys are going through right now, I'm always here to help."
| Time On Ice Per Game | Corsi For Per 60 | Corse Against Per 60 | High Danger Goals For Per 60 | High Danger Goals Against Per 60 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11:23 | 55.85 | 59.02 | 1.05 | 0 |
Provorov and the Blue Jackets are back in action on Thursday when they take on the Montreal Canadiens from Bell Centre. Puck drop is at 7:00 pm ET.
