Top defensive pair can score, too
The “rover” title that coach John Tortorella has given the Blue Jackets’ top defensive pairing of Zach Werenski and Seth Jones was a maneuver to unlock the young blue-liners’ offensive skills and lead to goals. Looks like a smart move. Some of the Blue Jackets’ top offensive players have struggled, and unexpected sources of goals — such as from forwards Josh Anderson and Oliver Bjorkstrand — are part of the reason that the Blue Jackets are 17-10-1 and tied for second in the Metro Division with 35 points.
But Jones and Werenski also have played a big role.
Werenski has especially been effective with eight goals, which leads NHL defensemen and is the second-best goal total on the Blue Jackets behind Anderson’s 10.
And Werenski continues to get more involved. The 20-year-old attempted a career-high 10 shots on goal Tuesday in a 4-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils, three more than his previous high. It’s an emphasis for him, and Werenski hopes his scoring will continue while eventually kickstarting his teammates.
“I don’t think I’ve shot enough this year,” Werenski said. “And when I do have shooting lanes, I haven’t got pucks there. A few of them have missed the net, or got blocked or tipped. I’m trying to get more pucks on net, and you never know with rebounds and guys crashing there.”
Why is Werenski finding so many offensive chances? It comes natural to him, Tortorella said.
“He always puts himself in position,” he said. “The way he plays in that rover position, he is going to end up with a lot of opportunities. A lot of it isn’t just the position, it’s just that he’s a pretty good player. And pretty good players, if they play right, the puck follows them. And that’s what has happened.”
Jones, while not as prolific as a goal-scorer, has 14 points, fifthhighest on the team, and he is on pace for a career high in assists with 11 through 28 games.
What possibly is most remarkable is that the pair has been involved in the offense while not being liabilities on defense.
“I think the ‘rover’ title gets used a little too much,” Jones said. “We’re defense first. That’s what we do. Keep the puck out of our net.
“There are two sides to that, and defense is our job. We can’t let in chance after chance defensively. We have to be smart about how we do things back there. I think me and Zach have developed a good chemistry about who is going and where each other is on the ice. It has been a lot of fun.”