Columbus Blue Jackets: Despite Injury, Dubinsky Continues Strong Start

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky missed ten games at the start of the season.

One of the Columbus Blue Jackets‘ top performers this season recently came back after ten games and has continued his early hot start. Not only is Brandon Dubinsky almost a point per game, he’s also dominating in the face-off circle.

Compared to last season, Dubinsky could have a much better year as he’s already posted a quarter of the points he posted last year in only five games.

Last year Dubinsky had a total of 16 points through 62 games, making many wonder if his best years were long gone. This season seems like he jumped in a time machine however, he seems revitalized and back at his best level of play.

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So far Dubinsky’s play in the face-off circle has been the best for the Columbus Blue Jackets, although it’s been in a limited sample size. As of now, he’d have a career high 60.29 face-off win percentage. It’s impossible to expect him to keep up that pace, but it certainly shows that he’s back to his best inside the circle.

Dubinsky’s shooting percentage still hasn’t been tested enough to be reflective of how his season will go, he currently only has eight shots and one of those was a goal. As a result his shooting percentage is partially inflated to 12.5.

With Artemi Panarin being the only player on the Blue Jackets over a point per game and none of the other point leaders being close, it’s easy to overlook Dubinsky’s contributions simply because of how many games he missed.

It’s unlikely that he’ll be able to keep up his pace and stay around a point per game, mainly because that’s not his game. If he can put up around a 40 point season, it’ll be safe to say that Dubinsky is back.