The defensive pairing of Ivan Provorov and David Jiricek has been an effective one so far this season. Among pairings with at least 80 minutes of time on ice together, they rank 27th in expected goals percentage with 51.2% of the on-ice expected goals from the Blue Jackets, according to moneypuck.com.
After being called up after Zach Werenski’s quad injury on opening night, Jiricek, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2022 Draft, has played in all eight games since, registering one goal and one assist. He's displayed why he was such a high draft pick and has the ability to be an elite defenseman in the NHL one day.
David Jiricek scored his first career NHL goal. Assists from Patrik Laine and Provorov. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/xppszZSyL4
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) October 15, 2023
His defensive partner, Provorov, leads the team with seven points, all assists, in nine games in his first season in Columbus after he was acquired from Philadelphia in an off-season trade.
In Provorov's fourth season with the Flyers in 2019-20, he played alongside Matt Niskanen on what was one of eight defensive pairings that season with at least 700 minutes played and an expected goals percentage above 50.
What's unique is that 2019-20 was Niskanen's 13th and final season in the NHL, and Provorov said he learned a lot from playing alongside the veteran blueliner.
"Overall, [Niskanen] was a great well-rounded player," Provorov said. "He competed hard. He tried to do the best he [could] in all areas of his game. And I think that's what made him so good and that's what made the pairing work."
In the early stage of the season, neither Provorov nor Jiricek have shown any hesitation to jump up into the play to try and create offense.
This all starts before the replay does with #CBJs Jiricek (55) pinching down the right wing before he receives the puck at the left goal line where he finds Danforth (17) in front of the net, who scores on the rebound. #CBJ 1-0 #mnwild https://t.co/nFhbbcLWgv
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) October 22, 2023
Provorov said that it's common sense to make sure to cover for Jiricek when he jumps up in the play and vice versa.
"When either of us steps up, the other guy kind of stays back [while] having another forward stay back," Provorov said. "I think overall, hockey is a lot more of a five-on-five game where everyone's kind of moving all over the ice. So I think having the [defensemen] being part of the offense and even sometimes being in the [offensive] zone below the hash marks is part of the game now."
"We're just trying to read off each other and make the right read," Provorov added later.
#CBJ's Fantilli (11) uses his great hands to create time so he can dish the puck to Provorov (9), who finds Bemstrom (52), the goal-scorer in the left circle. https://t.co/a4EPXA6kWV
— Coby Maeir (@CobyMaeir) October 25, 2023
After playing in four games last season, Jiricek is trying to establish himself as a regular NHLer.
"I'm just trying to go day by day," Jiricek said. "It's still been only eight games (played this season). So I'm just [going to] keep [working] hard, playing hard every game, every practice, and trying to stay here.
Jiricek said he's learned from Provorov's dedication and preparation.
"His work ethic is really good, for sure," Jiricek said. "He's ready for every game, every shift. He's such a good pro and I just learn from him a lot on the ice and off the ice, too, for sure."
In his second season in the NHL, Jiricek said he's more confident than he was last season.
"I'm a year older," Jiricek said. "I've got more experience now so [I'm] feeling more confident [that] I can play with these guys. I can be a good part of the team here."
Provorov said Jiricek has great hands, skating ability, and hands.
"For a big guy, he can skate," Provorov said. "He moves well. He can make plays. I think there is a learning curve when you come into the NHL and you're playing your first 5, 10, 15, 20 games. But overall, he's done a great job so far."
The play of this pairing, specifically the play of Jiricek, will be something to monitor as we enter November and the thick of the season.
