After scoring just 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) in his first 30 games of the season, Blue Jackets forward Johnny Gaudreau has been scoring at a point-per-game pace since Dec. 14. In his last 25 games, he's posted four goals and 21 assists and looks like the player the Blue Jackets expected to add when signing him to a seven-year, $9.75M AAV deal in the summer of 2022 on the heels of a 115-point season with Calgary.
In his last 13 games, he's recorded a goal and 15 points, culminating with a 1-2--3 performance in a 7-4 win over the Ducks on Wednesday.
Johnny Hockey finds the back of the net and the Blue Jackets take a 2-0 lead! #CBJ pic.twitter.com/UEUNtgjOlq
— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) February 22, 2024
In 135 games as a Blue Jacket, he's posted 29-85--114, which is probably an underwhelming return based on his pedigree in Calgary. However, he's been fantastic lately. Gaudreau's ability to set up his teammates with high-quality chances hasn't diminished since arriving in Columbus, but the finishing ability of his teammates has, which is why there's a drop in assists.
Yegor Chinakhov with the go-ahead goal!#CBJ pic.twitter.com/u7iOCgitdU
— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) February 22, 2024
Gaudreau is still an elite playmaker in the NHL and the last two months of play have proven that.
If his teammates start capitalizing at a higher rate when Gaudreau finds them, he could become a perennial 60-assist player in Columbus after posting three 60-assist seasons in Calgary.
