The Columbus Blue Jackets put together a 16-game winning streak, surged to first in the mighty Metropolitan division and are poised for their third playoff appearance in their 16-season franchise history -- and they largely have goalie Sergei Bobrovsky to thank for it.
In fairness, there is plenty of credit to go around, including the much-improved power play, Calder Trophy candidate Zach Werenski, scoring leader Cam Atkinson, captain Nick Foligno, and obviously coach John Tortorella.
But Bobrovsky's incredible play is the truly indispensible ingredient in the team's success.
While it may have come as bit of a surprise, Bobrovsky's stellar play is no fluke, because this isn't the first time Bobrovsky has played at an elite level. In 2012-13, his first season with Columbus, Bobrovsky won the Vezina Trophy and was named as a first team All-Star while posting numbers that are eerily similar to how he's performing right now:
After a mediocre performance from 2013-14 to 2015-16, it's safe to say that Bobrovsky is back to his best. His continued elite play could be enough for him to become the only active multi-time Vezina winner and to help the Blue Jackets clinch the first playoff home seed in franchise history.
