Columbus Blues Jackets: Top line is on fire
By Jasmine Yen
The Columbus Blue Jackets have one of the best lines in hockey right now and they’re showing no signs of slowing down.
In a league where goals are at a premium, the strategy of loading up your top line has become more popular. The Boston Bruins, Dallas Stars, and Colorado Avalanche have all adopted that strategy and are reaping the benefits. Joining them are the Columbus Blue Jackets, who have one of the deadliest forward trios in the NHL.
Their top line consists of Artemi Panarin, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Cam Atkinson. Together, they have combined for 108 points (47 goals and 61 assists) this season. They are the only players on the team with more than 30 points and have been on a tear recently. Atkinson has 22 goals and is fifth in the league in that department. He is on pace for 53 this season.
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The Blue Jackets are 4-0-1 in their last five games and are second in the Metropolitan Division with 42 points. With Sergei Bobrovsky and Panarin’s contracts coming to an end after this season, this might be their best chance to go all the way. With the way their top line is playing, the Blue Jackets have a really good shot.
On Saturday, the team did not have a good game, but that line capitalized on the few chances they got and that was the difference of the game. Bobrovsky kept them in the game with 34 saves and the top line did the rest.
What’s dangerous about this line is that they have the skill to turn the game upside down. Atkinson already has two hat tricks this season. Panarin’s shot is lethal and can change the game in a second. Dubois is cementing himself on that line at just 20 years old.
Drafted third overall in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft, Dubois has impressed everybody with his physicality and ability to win puck battles. He uses his strength to get the puck back for Panarin and Atkinson to do their thing. In 35 games played, Dubois already has 31 points, 17 away from his rookie season and is on pace to blow that out of the water.
They have some ways to go before they get compared to the elite lines in Boston and Colorado, but if they continue their dominance, they will insert themselves into the conversation. According to Atkinson, they deserve to be there.
"“I think we should be … I’m not going to lose sleep at night if they don’t talk about us. … We just have to stick to our business and keep doing what we’re doing. We’re pretty dynamic, just have to keep it going.”"
Next. Atkinson leads Blue Jackets over Flyers. dark
As they continue to tear up the league, the line will grow in confidence which will only improve their play more. Atkinson said it best – “We expect to get on the ice and score goals.”