But for all of the praise the Columbus native drew for his first-ever game-winning goal for his childhood team, he took it all in stride in his postgame interview.
"I've practiced wilder stuff than that," Roslovic said, though he admitted it was probably the best goal of his NHL career to this point. "I think that's one of those things that I have probably done it. I've been playing for a while, since I was a kid, so the imagination was there."
Taking it in stride is all Roslovic has tried to do since arriving in Columbus a few weeks ago in the trade that also brought Patrik Laine in exchange for Pierre-Luc Dubois. He was a player looking for a place to succeed after his Jets career seemed to run its course after three-plus seasons in Winnipeg, as Roslovic was stuck behind an uber-talented top six and wanted the opportunity for more.
The new start would have been welcomed anywhere, though there is obvious comfort with being in Columbus, the city in which he grew up, played for the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets and dreamed of continuing his NHL career at some point.
The situation just feels right, which has led to confidence on the ice, as Roslovic has quickly become a trusted center for head coach John Tortorella. He's also produced offensively at a new level, notching two goals and five assists to be a point-per-game player in his first seven games in Columbus.
"For sure," he said when asked if his self-belief is soaring. "But it doesn't stop at seven games or whatever I've played. I have to stay consistent. The opportunity hasn't been taken yet. I have to keep on pushing forward to make myself better and help the team win."
While confidence and comfort have been keys to Roslovic's impressive start with the team, another word that starts with "c" has been most important to Tortorella. To this point, the Blue Jackets head coach has called Roslovic "our most consistent center making plays," which has been a boon to a team trying to sort itself out at the center position.
The success hasn't been a surprise to his Blue Jackets teammates, many of whom knew him from summer skates in Columbus over the past few years.
"I think he's a very calm, cool, collected player," said Atkinson, who also served as a mentor to Roslovic at times as the latter navigated the early years of his career. "He wants the puck, and he's in the right position for the most part, especially breaking out of the zone and always looking to make a play. He slows the game down, which I like, and he can obviously score goals but his passing and his vision is definitely one of his main assets. He's always talking, too.
"He's a relatively young guy and he's shown a lot of confidence out there. He's going to continue to get more and more confident, especially him just playing minutes and being on the power play. Sometimes a change of scenery is really good for a player to get another opportunity. I think he's going to be a hell of a player for us for a long time."
Roslovic's offensive exploits also have come as his ice time has increased. He's played 16:28 per game thus far with Columbus, well beyond the 14:54 he played a year ago that had been a career high. In those minutes a year ago, the 24-year-old posted career highs of 12 goals and 29 points.
With everything coming together, perhaps it's no surprise to see success follow.
"I'm thrilled for him, especially coming back to his hometown and having the success that he's having," captain Nick Foligno said. "I think he realizes the opportunity he has in front of him. He's a great guy. We're enjoying having him on this team. I think he brings an attitude to the rink every day, he's kind of a happy-go-lucky guy, makes you laugh, so it's great to see things are going well for him. I think he has the mind-set and the work ethic to have that continue, so we're excited about what he's brought to this team."
Roslovic's success has delighted the hockey community in Columbus, and his hope is to keep on contributing. The pinch-me moments of wearing the jersey he grew up wanting to put on are always there, and they only become stronger the more he produces for the Blue Jackets.
"It will never go away," he said of the thrill. "I'll always be at home. I'm just excited to keep on doing the things we're doing on the ice."
