He just wanted to get back to his game and simplify things.
Zach Werenski had three points on Tuesday night in the Columbus Blue Jackets' 4-3 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesars Arena.
"For me, it's just getting back to playing better hockey," Werenski said. "I've kind of struggled as of late, so just keeping it simple, trying to get back to my old form."
"It's awesome. I love it....It's always fun to be back here."@BlueJacketsNHL defenseman Zach Werenski tells @DMaetzMedia that it never gets old playing in front of the hometown fans in Detroit.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/YXaSvlh15e
— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) March 19, 2024
His first point of the night was his first career goal against the Red Wings in Detroit, coming on an unassisted breakaway at 5:56 of the first period.
Werenski's fifth. pic.twitter.com/w8HOI8rA1R #CBJ
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 19, 2024
"Kind of a weird play," Werenski said. "I don't get breakaways too often, so I wasn't too sure what to do but saw some opening and found the net, so it was good."
"Our compete was there. We were winning battles. Everyone just did their job."
— Bally Sports Columbus (@BallySportsCBUS) March 19, 2024
Defenseman Zach Werenski tells @DMaetzMedia what allowed the @BlueJacketsNHL to get 20 shots on net and score two goals in the first period against the Red Wings.#CBJ pic.twitter.com/1QppW0UgQa
The second point came at 13:43 of the first.
As Alex Texier hopped out of the penalty box, Werenski found Texier for the pass, and Texier buried the second breakaway goal of the period, inciting boobirds from the Red Wings crowd.
Two breakaways. Two points for Werenski on Texier's 11th. #CBJ pic.twitter.com/6LtzAnS4yO
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 19, 2024
Werenski led the game with eight shots.
For Werenski, he has 15 points (three goals, 12 assists) in 22 career games against the Red Wings. He has clinched his fifth 40-point campaign in eight seasons with five goals and 37 assists this season in 57 games.
Werenski's 38 assists on the year set a career-best, and he has 13 games left to match his career-best in points (48 — 11 goals, 37 assists in 2021-22). On Tuesday night, Werenski tied David Vyborny for second on the Blue Jackets franchise list with 204 assists. Rick Nash is first with 258 helpers.
After scoring in his second game of the season on Oct. 20, Werenski endured a 38-game goal drought before scoring in San Jose on Feb. 17. Then he scored twice just four nights later in Anaheim.
What was the 'Werenski game' on Tuesday turned into theft by Patrick Kane and the Red Wings as they came back to win 4-3 in overtime.
The Blue Jackets continue their season-long five-game road trip when they battle the Colorado Avalanche for the first time this season in Denver on Friday night.
