Zach Werenski sets career high, scores OT winner in Blue Jackets' wild win over Lightning

COLUMBUS, Ohio Zach Werenski is a two-time NHL All-Star and one of the highest-scoring defensemen in the league since he debuted with the Columbus Blue Jackets in 2016-17.

Its not as if the 27-year-old isnt a highly regarded player.

But he might be elevating into a different stratosphere this season.

Advertisement Werenski had the first 5-point game of his career, scoring two goals including the overtime game winner in the Blue Jackets wild 7-6 overtime victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday in Nationwide Arena.

The Blue Jackets came back from a 3-0 deficit for just the sixth time in franchise history, according to the NHL , but it took a four-goal second period, a short-handed goal to take a 6-5 lead midway through the third and Werenskis winner at 1:26 of OT.

Kent Johnson , who had been out a month with a shoulder injury, celebrated his return to the lineup by scoring two goals, and Dmitri Voronkov , Sean Monahan and Yegor Chinakhov also scored.

Monahan, who matched a career high with 4 points, also had three assists.

Asked whether these back-and-forth, pond-hockey-style games are as fun to play as they are to watch, Werenski smiled.

Only if you win, he said.

Its different, right? Its one of those things that doesnt happen every day, so I dont mind it.

It is kind of frustrating when you score and they score and its back and forth like that.

But tonight was fine because we got the win, and thats all that matters.

ZACH CALLED GAME!!!!!!! @FanaticsBook | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/1C9mBb41tV Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 22, 2024 Werenski came over the boards for his second shift of overtime and was welcomed as he entered the offensive zone with a perfect pass from Cole Sillinger .

Werenski, with Justin Danforth in the left circle, waited out Tampa Bay defenseman Victor Hedman as he glided between the tops of the circles.

Silly made a great play to find me there in the slot, Werenski said.

I had to read Hedman there.

Once he kind of reached his stick to take (away the) pass, I had the shot.

Great play by Silly.

I really didnt do much.

I just got on the ice and was in the slot.

Advertisement On the night Werenski jumped over David Vyborny for fifth on the franchises points list hes at 321, 13 short of tying Nick Foligno for fourth Werenski scored his sixth career OT goal, tying him for second on the franchise list with Rick Nash and Cam Atkinson.

( Seth Jones had eight.) None of this will be a surprise to Columbus fans.

But Werenski is putting together the type of season that might generate league-wide acclaim.

His scoring outburst Thursday left him tied for second among NHL defensemen with 19 points (6-13-19) in 19 games.

Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason played more than 800 games in the NHL and has coached almost 250 with Minnesota and Columbus.

Ive seen a lot of hockey players, Evason said.

I dont think Ive seen one like him, honestly.

Hes just ...

hes amazing.

When he wants the puck, he goes and gets it.

When he wants to defend, he defends.

Hes taken on a way bigger role within our room and on the bench and away from the rink.

Hes embraced it.

In the past, hes been maybe more quiet and reserved, but this has pushed him forward and its helped his game on the ice as well.

LIKE HE NEVER LEFT @fanaticsbook | #CBJ pic.twitter.com/k0Ugqkr51m Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) November 22, 2024 Werenski had the primary assist on both of Johnsons goals, setting him up for a power-play goal at 1:55 of the second and springing him for a short-handed goal at 10:39 of the third.

Its unbelievable (the way hes playing), Johnson said of Werenski.

Hes always been a superstar, but this year hes elevated even more, and Im excited for him.

Hopefully, he can keep going and really have a season that puts him on the map as a top D-man, because I really believe he is.

(He could) be up for the Norris.

He could be up for Team USA (at the 4 Nations in February).

He deserves all that stuff.

Advertisement The Blue Jackets dressing room was strangely non-celebratory after the game.

Thats rare after a win, but it was clear nobody was pleased with needing to score seven goals and requiring overtime to win.

The six goals against were a point of contention.

It looks great, Evason said.

Fans Im sure love it.

Coaches dont love it that much.

We got down three (only 11:52 into the game) and we debated calling a timeout.

It was so quiet in the building, it was quiet on our bench.

It was a little eerie.

But there was no panic.

The guys werent screaming and yelling.

We stuck with it and kept going and it worked out.

The Blue Jackets have scored six or more goals in six games this season, roughly one-third of their schedule.

Armed with that type of scoring confidence, falling behind 3-0 didnt seem so overwhelming, though its not advised.

I do believe ...

we do believe that we have a skill set in our group to score, Evason said.

We just have to keep harping on not giving up six (goals).

We think were going to score goals consistently, but we have to hammer down keeping it out of our net.

(Photo: Russell LaBounty / Imagn Images).

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