The Columbus Blue Jackets were the most surprising team in the NHL last season, improving by 32 points from the year prior. They aren't sneaking up on anybody in 2017-18, but remain near the top of the league's standings. The Blue Jackets may not be the flashiest team in the NHL, but from top to bottom, they are the most complete.
Columbus' impressive 9-4 record is no joke. Heading into Thursday's action they ranked second in the NHL in expected goals for percentage at five-on-five, per Corsica.
Despite the even-strength offensive output, their success begins in the crease.
Strength from net out
It all starts with Sergei Bobrovsky, who is further cementing his status as the league's best goaltender. He took home the Vezina Trophy last season as the league's top goalie, and he's playing as though he wants to make it back-to-back.
The team in front of Bobrovsky is making it easier on him this year. Heading into Thursday's games, the Jackets had given up the fourth-fewest high-danger scoring chances against per 60 minutes at five-on-five, per Natural Stat Trick. Last season, they gave up the eighth-most.
Part of this is due to the maturation of their top D pairing, Seth Jones and Zach Werenski. The young duo has spent more time on the ice together at five-on-five than any other pairing in the league, and have put together a 58.26 Corsi For percentage, per Corsica.
Behind Jones and Werenski, the veteran pairing of Jack Johnson and David Savard have been rock solid. So, too, has former second overall pick Ryan Murray. He hasn't come close to reaching expectations, but he's certainly better than most third-pairing blue-liners.
Depth, depth, depth
The Blue Jackets may lack a marquee star player up front, but they have incredible scoring depth. All four lines can contribute. In their win over the Florida Panthers Thursday, 10 of their 12 forwards recorded a point.
Artemi Panarin leads the team with a modest 11 points in 13 games, but they have nine players who have at least seven points. Scoring by committee may give the impression that an offense isn't very good, but having four lines that can be rolled out at any time is incredibly valuable in today's NHL.
Furthermore, the Jackets are able to generate offense in different ways. Panarin, Cam Atkinson, Alexander Wennberg, and Oliver Bjorkstrand can beat you with speed and skill, while Nick Foligno, Josh Anderson, Boone Jenner, and Brandon Dubinsky can use their size and physicality to create space and opportunities down low.
The competition
The Tampa Bay Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins provide the biggest competition in the Eastern Conference, but both teams have been heavily reliant on the power play this season. When it comes to the playoffs, where fewer penalties are called, Columbus' ability to score at even strength gives them a huge advantage.
Moreover, Tampa has question marks on the back end, and Pittsburgh's search for depth down the middle and a backup goalie continues despite limited cap space.
Over in the West, the St. Louis Blues and Los Angeles Kings seem to be the top dogs. The Blues are amazingly overcoming a glut of injuries, and the Kings continue to win thanks to out-of-this-world play in the crease by Jonathan Quick, despite questionable scoring depth.
All four of these teams are superb, but all have their flaws.
The Blue Jackets aren't perfect, either. They still lack a true No. 1 center (whether Wennberg can be that remains to be seen), but when it comes down to player one to player 23 on the roster, the Blue Jackets are the most complete team in the league.
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
