Columbus Blue Jackets: Has Joonas Korpisalo Taken the Starting Job?

Joonas Korpisalo has been getting a bunch of starts as of late for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Columbus Blue Jackets may have had a changing of the guard so to speak, as it appears that Joonas Korpisalo is getting into John Tortorella’s favor with the recent drama surrounding Sergei Bobrovsky. It would nearly be impossible to predict last season, or even a month ago, that Korpisalo would be relied on this heavily in the middle of the most important part of the season.

He’s had a good start to 2019, despite struggling most of 2018, with the loss to the Montreal Canadiens being the only bad game he’s really had since January 1st. Even then, all things considered it wasn’t that bad of a game either.

Korpisalo has narrowed the gap of Bobrovsky’s stats and his own with his excellent play as of late, and has nearly caught up to the two time Vezina winner this season. It should be expected with the recent developments that Korpisalo would get more game time, however he’s started four of the last five games which is more than anyone likely expected.

If Sergei Bobrovsky is going moved before the trade deadline, it does make sense to have him ride the pine and see what Korpisalo can do considering he’ll likely be the starter for the remainder of the season and potentially next season. Plus, depending on where he goes, it may be beneficial for him to have a bit of rust when he gets shipped out in order to lower a draft pick if the Jackets get one in return.

Joonas Korpisalo is being rewarded for his good play in a way that would’ve been unexpected at the start of the season, however it’s time for him to kick it up to the next level if he thinks he can be an NHL starter.