BLUE JACKETS NOTES
– The Blue Jackets have been one of the NHL’s best teams in the second half of the season, currently on an 18-2-4 run since Jan. 12 with a league-leading .833 points percentage over that span.
Columbus was last in the Eastern Conference on Jan. 12, with a 19-19-7 record, but have shot up the standings and into a playoff position. The turnaround corresponds with the arrival of Head Coach Rick Bowness, who took over midseason for Dean Evason.
Columbus is averaging 3.79 goals per game over that span, fourth in the NHL, and are averaging 2.54 goals against per game, good for third in the league.
The Blue Jackets are riding a 12-game point streak (8-0-4).
– Since Jan. 12, Charlie Coyle has recorded a team-high 29 points (10G, 19A) in 24 games. Coyle has 55 points (17G, 38A) in 69 games, five points shy of tying his career-high (60 points) set during the 2023-24 season with Boston.
– Defenseman Zach Werenski leads Columbus with 75 points (20G, 55A), which is second among all NHL d-men this season. Werenski had three assists on Saturday against Seattle, giving him back-to-back games with three helpers. Werenski is up to seven assists during a three-game point streak. He has 28 points (4G, 24A) in 21 games since Jan. 12, second only to Coyle.
– Jet Greaves is the expected starter for Columbus on Sunday. Greaves is 11-0-2 since Jan. 11 with a 2.34 GAA, a .914 SV% and two shutouts over that span. Greaves’ 11 wins are tied for fourth in the NHL over that span.
Greaves is 2-1-1 lifetime against the Islanders with a 2.17 GAA and a .930 SV%. Greaves has started two of the three meetings this season between the Isles and Jackets, going 1-0-1.
– The Blue Jackets acquired Conor Garland from Vancouver at the NHL Trade Deadline. Garland has six points (5G, 1A) in eight games since joining the Blue Jackets.