Second line tops Jackets

As the Columbus Blue Jackets’ top forward Rick Nash is in the midst of a nine game goalless streak while his first unit struggles, the second line of Antoine Vermette, Jakub Voracek, and Raffi Torres has carried the team to their first three game winning streak since mid-November.

Torres scored the eventual game-winner 8:20 into the first period in Columbus’ 2-0 shutout victory over the Dallas Stars Sunday evening. Vermette was credited with an insurance goal when he shot the puck into Dallas’ empty net with four seconds remaining in the game.

“I know what my role is (on this line),” said Torres. “It is to get up and down along the wall and try to get open like I have been doing. Capitalizing on some chances and those guys have been making some great plays in order for us to do that.”

Vermette now has a three game goal streak. Torres had a game high eight shots on net. The trio received nothing but praise from coach Ken Hitchcock following Sunday’s victory.

“I think Vermette plays with speed now,” Hitchcock said. “Vermette is for the first time, I think very comfortable playing center ice… He’s breaking ahead of the puck and creating speed for the line.”

There has also been a marked improvement in the play of Voracek, especially on the more physical parts of the game. He added in with three hits in Sunday’s game.

“I just think Jake (Voracek) has been excellent for 15 games now,” Hitchcock said. “For a 20-year-old player, he is a pretty dynamic guy.”

 “I think Jake is going to be one of the best guys in this league very soon,” Torres said. “It is a matter how soon he wants to be. He can dominate games. He sees the ice so well and there only a few guys in the league who can do that.”

Even as the first line struggles, Hitchcock said he does not want to mix up lines. Why take talent away from a group that has been playing well together?

“I am playing with good players and getting quality minutes out there,” Vermette said.

Key stretch ahead for Columbus 

Just as big as the last three games for Columbus has been, so too is the next three games. Following a road game at St. Louis on Tuesday, the Blue Jackets play a home-and-home series with the conference leading Chicago Blackhawks Thursday and Saturday.

St. Louis has struggled mightily and recently has fired their former coach Andy Murray as it appears they will not repeat as participants in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. On the other hand, the Blackhawks have played well and look to steal Detroit’s decade-old crown of Central Division champions.

“It is a tough place to play and for whatever reason, it is tough for us,” Blue Jackets defenseman Mike Commodore said about playing in St. Louis.

“These are going to be tough games,” Blue Jackets forward R.J. Umberger said. “There are four points on the road that are going to be crucial for us to jump back in this mix.”

Before Thursday’s road win in Edmonton, the Blue Jackets lost 11 in a row away from Nationwide Arena; a streak that dated back to Nov. 5 against Atlanta. Now being eight points behind for the final playoff spot, the team knows they need to get points both at home and on the road.