Where’s Johnny Gaudreau?
With 13 points (three goals, 10 assists) in 26 games, it’s largely been an underwhelming start to the season for the veteran.
Gaudreau went 0-for-October in the goal-scoring department before hitting the empty net tally in a win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Nov. 2. The nine games to start the season without a goal was the longest scoring drought to start a season for Gaudreau.
But he was still creating offense with his play on the ice, at least mostly, squelching any outward concerns from him or his coach, Pascal Vincent.
However, the concerns began to grow, especially once Gaudreau was benched in the third period against the Arizona Coyotes on Nov. 16.
Since that moment, Gaudreau has begun to resemble the player we’ve come to expect.
The very next game following the third-period benching against the Washington Capitals, Gaudreau scored on a slap shot for his second goal of the season and first that beat a goaltender.
In the nine games since Nov. 16, Gaudreau has seven points (two goals, five assists), including two multi-point games and a two-assist performance on Dec. 1 in a win over the Ottawa Senators.
With 13 points on the season, Gaudreau is tied with Kirill Marchenko for fourth on the Blue Jackets. Which is still significantly less than you’d hope to see.
It seems like once a game, Gaudreau has a breakaway that he hasn’t been able to cash in on. It’s been that type of season for him.
Blue Jackets Insider Jeff Svoboda talked about Gaudreau, and as Vincent says in the article, he’s doing a lot of the things needed to be successful in the league.
“He's been moving his feet,” Vincent said. “He’s winning battles, stick battles. He’s not a physical guy, we all know it, but there is a way to win his battles. He’s in position, where he should be, quicker. He’s just moving his feet. I think he’s building his confidence back up as well.”
#CBJ good news: Boone Jenner is t-11th in the #NHL with 13 goals, t-6th with 10 even-strength goals.#CBJ (lingering) bad news: Johnny Gaudreau is t-268th in goals (3) and t-209th in points (11), while Patrik Laine is t-150th in goals (5) and t-333rd in points (7).
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) December 4, 2023
Still, though, Gaudreau’s 0.50 points per game is well under his career average of 0.98 points per game. He’s fifth on the club with 56 shots on goal.
Gaudreau and the Blue Jackets have another tough test when they face the Los Angeles Kings on Tuesday night from Nationwide Arena at 7:00 p.m. ET.
