The Blue Jackets sit in last place of the Metropolitan Division heading into Saturday’s puck drop against the Devils.
It’s a young team that at least has the budding talent of rookie Adam Fantilli to look forward to.
The No. 2 overall draft pick has fared respectably with 16 points through all 31 games.
The concern is that Columbus’ best players haven’t performed to their bar of expectations.
Johnny Gaudreau, who is in the second year of a $68.25 million contract, sits beneath Fantilli. So did Patrik Laine, who is out for six weeks.
The Jackets seized a five-goal opening lead on the Maple Leafs on Thursday but threw it away, allowing five unanswered in the third period before winning in overtime.
They may have gotten two points on a superior team, but this is not a sustainable course in the NHL.
New Jersey hasn’t gotten the overall results projected when it was pegged as a Cup contender in the preseason, but it’s due to positive regression ranking No. 7 in expected goals rate.
The Devils have won seven of their last 10 games, including a disciplined 2-1 victory over the Bruins in their last outing.
Any success has been much in part to fielding the top power play in hockey, which has converted 31.8 percent of its opportunities into goals.
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Their issues have also revolved around wobbly netminding, but Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt have combined for at least one point in nine straight games.
When the top players produce as expected, everything else should fall into place.
That disparity between the two lineups gives the Devils’ quick-transition game an offensive edge Saturday.
THE PLAY: Devils puckline -1.5 goals.