Cam Atkinson is launching to new heights.

During the second period against Detroit, the Columbus Blue Jackets winger scored his 27th goal of the season, tying a career high set in 2015-16.

The 27 goals this season were scored in 27 fewer games, meaning Atkinson - a 2017 All-Star - is set to smash his personal benchmark, as well as push for a new team record.

By averaging 0.5 goals per game to date, Atkinson is now on pace for 41 goals by season's end, provided he can avoid the injury bug and appear in all 82 games. Should he hit that mark, he would tie Rick Nash for the single-season franchise record, set in 2003-04.

Nash, it should be noted, shared the Richard Trophy that year with Ilya Kovalchuk and Jarome Iginla, and while Sidney Crosby has a leg up on the NHL scoring race this season, that piece of hardware isn't entirely out of the question for Atkinson.

Not bad for Columbus' eighth-highest paid skater and a player who was selected 157th overall at the 2008 Draft.

Atkinson is providing immense value for a player making $3.5 million this season, and if he can keep it up, he'll put himself in a position to cash in big time as an unrestricted free agent in 2018.

For the near future, Columbus is hoping Atkinson can keep it going through Game 82 and beyond in order to help the club win its first-ever playoff series, at the very least.

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