RECAP: Blue Jackets 4, Blackhawks 1

Yes, the Blue Jackets had more NHL players than the Chicago Blackhawkswho left their superstars at home.
Yes, the Jackets' 4-1 victory Tuesday at Nationwide Arena was just a preseason game. Yes, enthusiasm based off the result should be tempered based on those two factors. That's all true.
However, their play overall - and particularly that of center Alex Wennberg - should at least be jotted down and noted for future reference. It was an impressive two-point night for a guy looking to bounce back from a disappointing year.
"Even though it's the preseason, it's a great way to prepare for the season," said Wennberg, who scored the eventual game-winning goal on a power play late in the first period. "It doesn't matter who you play against. I mean, it's always hockey played out there and there's good players on the other team. So, for us to go out there - and for me, as well - to get back this year and start talking about being better … it's a good thing for me."

Wennberg led the way for Columbus (1-1-0), which also got goals from Zac Dalpe, Cam Atkinson and rookie center Liam Foudy - who scored the first NHL preseason goal of his career to cap the scoring late in the third period.
Wennberg's assist was on the goal by Atkinson, who made it 3-1 just 36 seconds into the third.
"For the first game, it felt like the line was pretty good and we created some chances," said Wennberg, who centered Atkinson and captain Nick Foligno. "It could be a lot better, but it's the start of something for sure."
Last season, after putting up 59 points in 2016-17, Wennberg played 66 games and finished with 35 points on eight goals and 27 assists. Rookie Pierre-Luc Dubois ascended to the role of center on the top line, which had belonged to Wennberg, and the Swedish-born center missed two stretches of games with back injuries.
His goal this season is to re-establish himself as one of the NHL's top-scoring centers and the early returns were encouraging - helping Columbus erase an early deficit and surge ahead.
The Blackhawks scored 53 seconds into the game on Alexandre Fortin's far-side goal from the right-wing circle, but it was the only one goalie Jean-Francois Berube allowed on 15 shots during two periods in net.
The Jackets fought back on Dalpe's goal at 12:13 of the first, which tied it 1-1 off his tip of Ryan Murray's point blast. Wennberg then made it 2-1 with a power-play goal six minutes later, beating Chicago starter Cam Ward (13 saves).
Playing along the left-wing wall on the top power-play unit, Wennberg pumped a shot past Ward, with assists going to Seth Jones and Atkinson (goal, assist).
That power-play role will be occupied by Artemi Panarin when he returns from a neck strain but the Jackets' coaching staff was glad to see Wennberg's shot-first mentality in that situation.
"Well, he shot the puck, which is a good start, right?" assistant Brad Larsen said. "We're always trying to get him to shoot the puck. We'll see how things iron out here towards the end of camp, but I thought he did a good job there tonight."
It wasn't the only area Wennberg exceled. He also had a great night at the face-off circle, winning 9-of-12 draws (75 percent) and 4-of-5 (80 percent) against veteran center Artem Anisimov, a former Blue Jacket.
"Face-offs are a big key," Wennberg said. "In the past, I haven't been the best on face-offs, so that's something I'm going to try and improve - and today it worked good."
ONE-TIMERS: DefensemanZach Werenksi(shoulder) is scheduled to be re-examined Thursday and could get cleared for controlled contact in practice. The labrum and rotator cuff in Werenski's left shoulder were surgically repaired May 3, with an estimated recovery of 5-to-6 months. He hopes to gain clearance for full contact soon, possibly get into a preseason game and then play in the Blue Jackets' season-opener Oct. 4 against the Detroit Red Wings at Little Caesar's Arena. Werenski, who's from the Detroit suburb of Grosse Point, said he won't rush it to play in that game. However, he feels that his recovery going well. "There's been no setbacks," Werenski said. "Hopefully there [are] no setbacks. We're right here. We're this close. So, I'm just hoping everything goes smooth the rest of camp here." … Columbus coach John Tortorellawatched the game from the press box again, letting assistants Larsen and Brad Shaw run the bench a second straight game. … Wednesday is an off day for players to recover from the intense conditioning they've done in the first week. First cuts will likely happen, as well.
IN THEIR WORDS
"I was talking to coach today. I was talking to 'Torts' and it's been a long summer for me and a frustrating last season, dealing with this. And then it leads into summer and my whole summer's a little bit different, with rehab and staying here [in Columbus] - not being able to do a lot. This close to the season and the season-opener in Detroit, my hometown, that's kind of been a goal of mine to play in [that game]. So, that's kind of that light at the end of the tunnel. I feel pretty good that I'll be there for that." - Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski, who had offseason shoulder surgery.
"You can practice all you want, but there's nothing like a real game and getting that conditioning level back. My goal is to play in one preseason game. It's looking good right now and I guess we'll have to wait and see. I talk to the doc on Thursday." - Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski, who's at the tail end of his recovery from offseason shoulder surgery.
"I know it's preseason, but I don't take that for granted. I thought that was one of the coolest experiences of my life and something I'll remember forever." -Rookie forward Kole Sherwood, who grew up a Blue Jackets fan in New Albany.
"Guys kind of made fun a little bit in the warmup, all the Hawks guys, but it's fun. It was a good group of guys over there and I had a lot of fun last season playing with them. It's always fun to reunite and it's even better to be on the opposite side and win." - Berube, on wearing his Blackhawks mask in a preseason win against his former team.
"He's fine. It wasn't from the hit. He got spun in the corner, he got kicked in a spot you probably don't want to get kicked there. So, I think he'll be fine. He might need a day or two, though." - Larsen on defenseman Ryan Murray, who was unable to finish the game.
"He's young. You can tell he's a little bit tentative at times. His best asset is his skating and sometimes he gets a little bit stagnant in the middle of the ice, but man you can see when he gets going, he can skate. You've got to remember, you're 18 and coming into an NHL camp, what that feels like … you're a little bit in awe and every game, every practice you get a little bit more comfortable and just do what you're good at. That's what we're telling him. He's got high-end NHL speed, so that's his biggest asset - so you want to see that. He scored a real nice goal there tonight." - Larsen on Foudy, who was selected 18th overall by the Blue Jackets in the 2018 NHL Draft.