5 reasons why Columbus Blue Jackets will win Stanley Cup

4. Cam’s Revenge

Cam Atkinson had a terrible start to his season. Last season, he was one of the most dynamic wings in the NHL. Atkinson was involved in just about every big goal for the Blue Jackets. He was their most clutch performer. But in the first half of the year, Atkinson put up merely 14 points in 33 games. It’s not a coincidence the Blue Jackets struggled in the first half.

Since the All-Star break, Atkinson has been producing like crazy. He had 32 points in 32 second-half games. That’s more like the Atkinson Blue Jackets fans are used to. He got his confidence back and started finishing the plays he did last season.

Atkinson’s going to be a critical guy in the playoffs for Columbus. The Blue Jackets have impressive depth, but they are lacking in dynamic, game-changing forwards. Artemi Panarin is obviously one of them. Atkinson needs to be one, too. If he can take over games in the Stanley Cup playoffs like he did in the second half, the Blue Jackets have a great chance of surprising everyone.

For better or for worse, Atkinson is the pulse of Columbus. When he’s flourishing, the Blue Jackets are flourishing. But as fans saw, when he’s struggling, the team tends to struggle as well. The Blue Jackets need Super Cam to be out in full force in the postseason. They should be encouraged by his impressive second-half.

Atkinson has struggled against Metropolitan Division teams this season. But to be fair, a lot of this had to do with his bad first-half. Atkinson had great numbers against the Metropolitan Division last year. That needs to be true in the 2018 Stanley Cup playoffs if the Blue Jackets want to lift the Cup.