When the Blue Jackets acquired Max Domi from the Canadiens in exchange for Josh Anderson, there was a lot of pressure on Domi to come in and make an impact right away.
The Blue Jackets had Pierre-Luc Dubois, but Domi was expected to come in and play center on the second line, an opportunity that Domi was thrilled about. He had success in Montreal at the position, and was excited to get another crack at it.
However, that pressure may have affected Domi's play early on, as he struggled significantly, along with the rest of the Blue Jackets. He bounced from line to line as John Tortorella tried to determine whether Domi would play center or wing this season.
Tortorella certainly found a spot where Domi fits. Tonight, Domi played on the left wing with Jack Roslovic at center and Cam Atkinson on the right. The trio tallied 2-4-6 against the Stars in Saturday night's 4-3, overtime triumph.
No one shone brighter than Domi tonight, who got the scoring started for the Blue Jackets in the first period after receiving a nice feed from Roslovic. His initial attempt didn't make it to the net, but his second one beat Jake Oettinger to give the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead.
YOU LOVE TO SEE IT. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/IcuEhScjti
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 13, 2021
"The last five or six games, I've felt like myself, which is good," said Domi postgame. "It was a huge win tonight and we'll build on it...we gotta get ready to go for another one tomorrow."
In the second period, Domi registered the primary assist on Atkinson's goal that made it 2-2. He won the faceoff, then jabbed the puck into the corner, where Roslovic got to it first. Roslovic then found Domi with a short pass, Domi turned, made a great pass right to Atkinson's stick, and it was 2-2.
There is that Cam-do attitude! #CBJ pic.twitter.com/3XjA3leGfx
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 13, 2021
"Domi's been playing great for us the last couple of games," said Atkinson. "It's not that we haven't seen what he's capable of, but he's doing it more on a consistent basis. That's what he does. That's what he brings. He's got that swagger and he's got so much skill. and obviously his passing ability is off the charts. Once he's feeling it, which he is now, it's fun to play with him. He can be a difference maker, a game-changer for us."
Before the Blue Jackets played Florida on Thursday, Domi had one goal in his last 14 games. Now, after two games in which he's scored, he's looking like the Domi that the Blue Jackets expected to get from Montreal.
"I think he's just looking more comfortable in himself," said captain Nick Foligno, whose first goal in 16 games gave the Blue Jackets a 3-2 lead in the second period. "Obviously you need some bounces to go your way, and he got that a few games ago, and now he's run with it. Now he's making the plays that we've seen him make. I'm really happy for him...when he's feeling it, he is dangerous every time he steps on the ice."
