The NHL is going to have some tight races when it comes to the end-of-season awards, and the Columbus Blue Jackets might have a surprise entrant for a key one.

ST. LOUIS — In Utah last weekend, St. Louis Blues coach Jim Montgomery benched linemates Robert Thomas and Pavel Buchnevich. He followed that up by separating the two for the next game against the Vegas Golden Knights and the start of the teams’ rematch Thursday night.

Werenski notched an assist, three blocked shots, two PIM and a plus-2 rating in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Maple Leafs.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are currently battling for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and the future of Ivan Provorov is unclear.

This wasn't the best of games by the Blue Jackets, but they fought back and defeated the Philadelphia Flyer 3-2 in a shootout.

Zach Werenski was slightly annoyed. The Columbus Blue Jackets were in a tailspin and on the way to another playoff-less spring.

Columbus Blue Jackets alternate captain Zach Werenski is leading the NHL in goals among defensemen this season.

Adam Fantilli scored three goals for his first career hat trick, Elvis Merzlikins stopped 28 shots, and the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-1.

Slings helper Wednesday

One of the big reasons for the Blue Jackets’ winning streak is defenseman Zach Werenski. He comes into play Saturday leading the NHL in goals by a defenseman with 15 and points by a defenseman ...

Columbus took a 1-0 lead at 7:08 of the first period. After the Blue Jackets forced a turnover, Luca Del Bel Belluz fed a pass to Johnson, who scored five-hole from the left face-off circle. Kirill Marchenko made it 2-0 at 9:48 when he took a cross-ice backhand pass from Adam Fantilli and roofed a shot over Andersen’s glove.

Blue Jackets' winning ways continue thanks to late-game heroics from Werenski and Marchenko in shootout win over Flyers.