We are just a little over two weeks into the new year, and the Columbus Blue Jackets look like a new team.

Currently on a six game win streak after Ryan Johansen’s shootout goal, the Blue Jackets are playing some inspiring hockey. Winners of seven of their last eight, the Blue Jackets success can logically be attributed to the Blue Jackets debut of Nathan Horton. Horton, the 2003 3rd overall pick who debuted with the Blue Jackets two and a half months into the 2013-14 season after recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, scored the game winning goal in his debut against the Coyotes and the Blue Jackets have been on a roll since. Adding depth to the top three lines and adding to the power play, the Blue Jackets have outscored opponents 20-9 coming into tonight’s game against the Sabres since Hortons return. In addition, his playoff experience and success with the Bruins can only help one of the youngest teams in the NHL.

And its not just the goal scoring-the reigning Vezina winner, Sergei Bobrovsky, is 6-0 with a 1.37 GAA and a .955 save percentage in his last six games entering tonight’s action. Through recent play, the Blue Jackets have climbed within reach of both the Metropolitan Division and Wild Card slots. Perhaps no one is hungrier for a playoff spot than Coach Todd Richards, who has yet to make the playoffs as an NHL coach, despite a winning regular season record and a shade over 300 games coached.

This is an exciting time to be a Blue Jackets fan. Last season, the Blue Jackets finished their campaign on a 19-5-5 tear, just barely missing the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. After the signing of Horton to a seven year, $37.1 million free agent contract, young talent on both sides of the ice including Ryan Johansen and Ryan Murray, and a switch to the seemingly weaker conference, the present and future look bright in Columbus.