Consistent Bjorkstrand gives struggling offense needed lift

Oliver Bjorkstrand’s favorite holiday is Christmas, but the day after is also significant for the Blue Jackets right wing because it marks the anniversary of the three-year entry-level contract he signed with the franchise four years ago.

Now in his third NHL season, the 22-yearold Bjorkstrand is blooming as an offensive asset, and has been a major reason the Blue Jackets have continued to win despite a lack of scoring from several key players.

With a primary assist on Seth Jones’ goal Saturday against the Philadelphia Flyers, Bjorkstrand ranks second on the team in assists (17) and in points (23) through 37 games, trailing only Artemi Panarin in both categories.

“Bjorky’s been pretty consistent as far as being involved in the offense,” coach John Tortorella said of the Jackets’ thirdround draft pick (89th overall) in 2013. “He just quietly goes about his business. … He’s a talented player. He slides. He’s slippery. He can get into spaces and he can get out of trouble with the puck on his stick.

“With some of the struggles of the other guys, he has been a pretty consistent player for us offensively.”

Saturday, Bjorkstrand skated on the third line, alongside center Lukas Sedlak and left wing Matt Calvert. But he’s had success with numerous linemates while amassing what’s now a team-best plus-10 rating.

“I still want to be more consistent in my game, just have more good games,” Bjorkstrand said of his performances. “Point-wise it’s going OK. I still feel like I have better. You need to want to be better all the time, and I think I have better. That starts with being more consistent.”

Aside from a fourgame point-less streak (Nov. 27-Dec. 2) and three-game drought leading up to Saturday, Bjorkstrand has regularly produced points for the offensively starved Jackets, who’ve scored 11 goals combined their past five games and one or zero goals in regulation 13 times this season.

“One thing he’s learning this year is showing up every night,” Calvert said. “You look at his whole season, he creates a lot of chances when he’s out there. He’s got to keep doing that for us because he’s going to be a big part of (our success) down the stretch.”

Despite just one goal the past 22 games, Bjorkstrand continues to be “a dangerous player” offensively, captain Nick Foligno said.

“When he plays hard and commits to the defensive side, he gets himself into good scoring areas and has a lethal weapon in his shot to use,” Foligno said. “We need him to consistency be good on the other side of the puck and he’ll get his opportunities offensively.”

Bjorkstrand had four goals and four assists in 12 games with the Jackets in 2015-16 and six goals and seven assists in 26 games last season. This season, he’s on pace to finish with 51 points, which would move him higher on the all-time list of NHL points posted by Danish-born players. Bjorkstrand ranks eighth.

“The first year I got a little taste of it. Last year was a little disappointing with my start,” Bjorkstrand noted. “The more games you put in your book is definitely going to help you. The (201617) playoffs definitely helped me. I’m looking to take a step each year.”