The Columbus Blue Jackets spent most of their season getting good efforts from most of their forward lines. The one notable exception to that was their second line.
Sean Monahan played through health issues most of the season. Kent Johnson’s numbers were not to the level that he nor the team expected. Different players rotated through that line hoping to spark some chemistry that just didn’t come.
That was until Conor Garland arrived on the scene. My how the tables have turned.
Garland was acquired by the Blue Jackets the day before the trade deadline in exchange for two draft picks. He was the top-six right-winger the team identified as a priority. He has not disappointed in the least so far.
In the Blue Jackets’ 5-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday night, Garland scored twice. That marked his second consecutive game with two goals. He became the first player in team history to score four goals in his first three games.
Garland’s goals are getting the spotlight which is well deserved. But those goals don’t happen if not for the work of his linemates. That’s where his early impact can really be felt. The entire line of Johnson, Monahan and Garland have quickly found chemistry.
Especially in the game against the Lightning, you can see they are elevating each other’s play. If they are able to maintain this down the stretch, the Blue Jackets become a more dangerous team given what their top line continues to do on a nightly basis.
Second-Line Boost
The theme here will be positioning and little plays. The 2-1 goal by Garland on Tuesday night was assisted by Johnson and Monahan. Everyone did their thing to make this goal happen on different fronts.
Monahan is able to achieve a zone entry despite having three Lightning players near him. He makes a pass back to Johnson that ends up missing him and the Lightning player Brayden Point. With the puck up for grabs at the top of the zone, it’s a battle between Garland and Gage Goncalves for possession.
Garland wins that battle causing the puck to stay in the zone. With the puck now available in the circle to the right of Andrei Vasilevskiy, Declan Carlile has a chance to make a play. Instead, the puck bounces on him.
That opening allowed Johnson to make a play of his own to poke the puck to Monahan who was in front of Vasilevskiy. The positioning here of everyone involved allowed what looked like a nothing play to become a prime scoring chance. It went from Monahan seemingly being surrounded to Garland being wide open to score.
Monahan creates chaos in front of the net by getting a shot on goal that Vasilevskiy has to save. Here’s where the awareness and skill of Johnson really comes out. After poking the puck to Monahan, he skates over to where the puck could be if there’s a rebound. He gets there and is on his backhand. Instead of taking a low percentage shot, he dishes the puck to the slot where Garland could receive the pass.
This is where Johnson really shines when he gets opportunities to make plays. Although he didn’t turn to see where Garland was, he was focused on getting the puck. He centered the puck believing Garland would be in the neighborhood to receive it. It got there. That goal gave the Blue Jackets a lead they wouldn’t give up again for the rest of the night.
This is a case of all members of the line doing their part both with and without the puck. It’s also a case of being in positions to make aggressive plays when needed. Monahan gained zone entry then went to the net. Garland won a puck battle and stayed ready afterwards. Johnson made two great plays with the puck to keep it alive while being positionally ready to do so.
Two Lightning defenders went at Monahan after the puck got to the front of the net. This is where he is at his best. His presence allowed his wingers Johnson and Garland to utilize time and space. Monahan did everything right on the play that caused the defense to react to him. The playmakers did their job as a result.
Up until this point, time and space was tough to come by especially for Johnson. On this line, he’s getting more of those things. It’s no wonder his play has vastly improved in recent games.
On the 4-2 power-play goal, Monahan and Garland were up to their old tricks again. This time, Zach Werenski was able to keep the puck in the zone. The puck gets to Monahan with two Lightning defenders around him. Monahan is able to slip a sneaky backhand to Garland with time and space. Garland’s backhander was a much-needed insurance goal.
With Monahan, the Olympic break has seemed to help him tremendously. He’s back to being the two-way threat he’s known to be. He was outstanding on Tuesday night creating all kinds of havoc for the Lightning while being able to make key plays.
Numbers Since Garland’s Arrival
Here is a look at the numbers for the second line since Garland made his debut on Saturday night against the Utah Mammoth.
- Monahan: 0-3-3 while impacting the game at both ends of the ice. Overall, Monahan has six points in his last six games.
- Johnson: 0-1-1 but playing with more confidence knowing there is more time and space on the ice.
- Garland: 4-0-4 with consecutive multi-goal games. His relentless and aggressive approach has also helped Monahan and Johnson be able to do their jobs better.
You’ll notice the ice times of Johnson and Garland were down compared to Monahan’s. The wingers are not part of the penalty kill whereas Monahan is. If the line continues to produce, it’ll be hard not to give them more ice time.
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As we always say in these types of situations, it’s early with just three games together. But what that second line has been able to do has given a major boost to the Blue Jackets. They hadn’t won a game in Tampa Bay since 2021.
There’s a reason the Blue Jackets went out and acquired Garland. It was to add scoring to the top-six. And as we’re seeing also, it was to send a message to the team that they’re good enough to make the playoffs.
As of this writing, the Blue Jackets remain on the outside of the playoff picture. They will need more nights like Tuesday from everyone on the roster especially that new-look second line. Even though it’s been just three games, the impact they’ve had cannot be denied.
