These guys are fun.
You just watched the game. Odds are you thought a certain player had a great night, and you're wondering if the numbers back up what your eyes told you. Even if that's completely false, "Battery Mates" is here to help.
We'll pick our own three stars based on Game Score, a comprehensive individual performance metric developed in the hockey analytics community. For more on how Game Score works, read this.
These are 1st Ohio Battery's three stars from Saturday's 3-2 overtime win at Barclays Center:
ZACH WERENSKI [GAME SCORE: 1.45]
The silliest thing in the current scope of silly sports things might be Werenski considered to be “on the fringes” of the NHL’s Calder Trophy race. He was one of the best players on the ice this afternoon at Barclays Center (if not the best) and logged over 21 minutes of 5-on-5 ice time in the game, not to mention his ridiculously good shift in 3-on-3 overtime that led to the game-winning goal. Werenski had four shots on goal, six total attempts and 52.63% 5-on-5 Corsi in the Blue Jackets’ overtime victory; his two assists give him 46 points, five back of the club’s all-time record for points by a defenseman, 51, set by James Wisniewski.
CAM ATKINSON [GAME SCORE: 1.35]
It’s not hard to see why John Tortorella loves to use Atkinson in every situation, and also why he’s such a weapon in a format like 3-on-3. He backs off defenses with his speed, can break your heart in a split-second with his wrist shot, and is reliable up and down the ice with his backchecking and penalty killing. Tortorella joked in his post-game press conference that he was questioning Brandon Dubinsky’s decision to stick-handle the puck behind the net before feeding Atkinson out front, but as he said, “that’s why they play, and we coach.” Atkinson’s goal was his 33rd of the season, extending a previously-shattered career high, and gave the Blue Jackets their 46th win in their 70th game.
OLIVER BJORKSTRAND [GAME SCORE: 1.10]
Tortorella stated the obvious after today’s game that Bjorkstrand “isn’t going anywhere.” He’s a huge fan of the young Dane, and was disappointed when he didn’t have a good showing in training camp. But since he’s come back to the NHL, he’s been a different player and a potential game-changing piece for the Blue Jackets as they drive toward the postseason. Bjorkstrand tied the game early in the second period today, his sixth goal since a Feb. 14 recall, and was elevated to the top line with Nick Foligno and Alexander Wennberg in an attempt to provide a jolt of energy to the offense. Bjorkstrand played nearly 17 minutes of 5-on-5 hockey in today’s game, a clear sign that his coach is noticing the impact he’s had on the club.
Data/analytics courtesy of Corsica.hockey
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