Battered by a plethora of injuries, the Columbus Blue Jackets are playing their best hockey

Elvis Merzlikins is out 1-2 weeks, Patrik Laine is out 3-4 weeks, Nick Blankenburg is out 6-8 weeks, Adam Boqvist is out 4-6 weeks, Jakub Voracek with no timetable for his return, Zach Werenski is out for the season, Justin Danforth, out for the season, and Jake Bean looks like his season will be over as well pending test results.

Eight starters are out for a while or the rest of the season. Yet, a funny thing is happening in Columbus, Ohio; the Blue Jackets are playing their best hockey of the season.

With points in four games in a row and coming off a week in which the Columbus Blue Jackets went 3-0-1, the battered Blue Jackets have shown both resilience and growth. The injuries have given way to more consistent play and players stepping up.

The Columbus blueline now has Gavin Bayreuther and Marcus Bjork in the lineup. Bjork, who signed a one-year free-agent contract during the summer, has been a standout player. He has quickly picked up the man-to-man coverage and is quarterbacking one of the Blue Jackets’ power play lines.

Team Captain Boone Jenner scored four of his seven goals in the 3-0-1 stretch and has played even more physically, truly leading by example. Johnny Gaudreau netted seven points this past week. Perhaps the best move head coach Brad Larsen made was moving Kent Johnson to the top line with Jenner and Gaudreau. Johnson’s playmaking, Gaudreau’s skills, and Jenner’s grit have been nothing short of pure magic for the Blue Jackets.

The biggest improvement has been the lack of odd-man rushes the Blue Jackets have given up. Before the rash of injuries, the Blue Jackets lead the league in giving up odd-man rush goals. That has come to a grinding halt. Fewer defensive players are shooting the puck, allowing them to be in a position to get back before the team has too many offensive-minded defensemen.

Before the injury bug hit, the Blue Jackets looked close to figuring things out. Their play had improved. However, all of the injuries appear to have gelled the team together. Players such as Gustav Nyquist, Cole Sillinger, Sean Kuraly, Mathieu Olivier, and Vladislav Gavrikov have taken their game to another level.

The depth of the Blue Jackets organization also needs to be acknowledged. To lose eight starters should,/would sink many teams. Credit must be given to Blue Jackets GM Jarmo Kekalainen, who has drafted well and fully displayed the fruit of his work.

Can the Blue Jackets keep rolling? That is the question if this past week is any indication; the answer may just be yes.

Stanley Cup Aspirations Cue’ the Duck Boats Pod

The boys are back after a long break but have plenty to talk about as the playoffs are in full swing. We go series by series, looking at how teams have fared so far and who will come out on top. Thanks for listening! Please rate and review our show on your favorite listening platform. Check out our partner's website at www.insidetherink.com for all your latest hockey news.
  1. Stanley Cup Aspirations
  2. The Final Countdown
  3. Here Come the Playoffs
  4. Home Stretch
  5. Kevy Cooks

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Blackhawks Get Shutout by Ottawa Senators 2-0, Anton Forsberg Makes 19 Saves | 3/28/2024

The Blackhawks went back on the road for a three-game road trip, starting off visiting the Ottawa Senators on Thursday at the Canadian Tire Centre. In hopes of continuing their two-game win streak, they were once again, shutout. This had been the fourth time this month they’d gotten shutout, unfortunately. However, it was definitely not […]

Read More

The Predators Are Making History on Their Way to the Postseason

As the 2023-24 NHL regular season winds down, what a difference a month makes in the future of the Nashville Predators. Pundits and fans alike had essentially given up on Nashville before the All-Star break in early February as the Predators looked to be on the verge of extinction like the saber-toothed tiger in the […]

Read More

Flyers Miss Out on Two Points Against Canadiens; Lose 4-1 | 3/28/2024

The Flyers needed to come into this game hungry for two points. Not counting this game against Montréal, there are only eight games left in the season. Every point counts. What’s at Stake The Flyers have had a tough schedule the last couple of weeks. Since March 14, they have played teams that are top […]

Read More