NHL scores 2016: Rookie Zach Werenski is becoming the saving grace in Columbus

It wouldn’t take much for the Columbus Blue Jackets to improve upon their abysmal winless start from last season. Eleven games into the 2016-17 season, they’ve already won six games, a huge improvement over their 2-10 start just a year ago. Columbus is 6-3-2 and 4-0-1 in its last five games.

A big reason for the improvement? For starters, the goaltending of Sergei Bobrovsky is back to its usual stable-to-outstanding self. Other than that, the Blue Jackets have themselves a potential Calder Trophy candidate in defenseman Zach Werenski.

Let’s break this down into one easy to digest tweet, shall we?

Much like Shayne Gostisbehere last year, Werenski is making a name for himself as a scoring defenseman. The No. 8 overall pick in 2015 was touted as a great overall blue liner with an upside for offense, and it’s showing just 11 games into the year.

Outside of all the points listed above, Werenski is fourth overall in rookie points behind three big names you might recognize: Patrik Laine, William Nylander, and Auston Matthews. Werenski is also tied for second overall in rookie assists with eight, behind Brady Skjei of the Rangers.

Werenski hasn’t hit the back of the net often on his own, with just three of his 11 points coming on goals. However, the rookie is third on the team in scoring and the Blue Jackets are clearly better because of it.

Werenski is making his case for a Calder Trophy nomination, and he’s elevating the Blue Jackets in the process.

Blue Jackets 3, Ducks 2 (OT)
Senators 2, Sabres 1 (SO)
Blackhawks 2, Blues 1 (OT)

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1. We know Artemi Panarin can score, but did you know he can fight?

The reigning Calder Trophy winner from the Chicago Blackhawks got himself a Gordie Howe hat trick on Wednesday. After an assist in the first period on Marian Hossa’s opening goal, Panarin preceded to get in a fight with Scottie Upshall, no less.

Then Panarin netted the OT winner because why not cap off your first Gordie Howe hat trick in style?

2. The Senators are quietly the second-best team in the Atlantic

Thanks to the strangely cold start by the Atlantic Division, Ottawa is now sitting behind Montreal for second place. The Senators took down their division mates, the Sabres, in a 2-1 shootout to keep themselves above the Lightning in the early going of the season. It’s likely not going to last, but it’s a great start for a team we put in the “I Can Either Go To Sleep Or Watch This Team” category in our watchability rankings. See, you could have just gone to sleep!

3. Sergei Bobrovsky is back

We mentioned before that Bobrovsky was having himself a great start to the season compared to last year. Safe to say he’s back.

Both goaltenders were great in the actual Wednesday night rivalry game between the Blues and Blackhawks, but Corey Crawford’s save here is a big reason why Chicago walked out of the Scottrade Center with two points.