In the first two weeks, the Blue Jackets have won two games and lost three, putting them in seventh place in the Metropolitan Division. There have been some shining moments as well as some learning moments. Team injuries have started to stack up and two new names have been added to the injured reserve as one name is removed.
The first name added to the IR was Erik Gudbranson. He was injured during the Blue Jackets home opener loss against the Florida Panthers when he collided with teammate Sean Monahan. Gudbranson got up and skated toward the locker room while holding his right arm. The injury is listed as “upper body,” and it’s unknown when he may return. According to a post from reporter Jason Newland, Gudbranson is visiting Vail, Colorado, likely to receive surgery on his shoulder. Vail is where Boone Jenner had surgery on his shoulder earlier this year. The injury is speculated to be to the labrum. Since the injury, young defenseman David Jiricek has made his season debut. So far he has one assist in one game.
The second injury happened during the Blue Jackets’ 6-4 win against the Buffalo Sabres. After James van Riemsdyk was tripped up, he collided with Kent Johnson. Johnson fell onto his left shoulder and immediately went down the tunnel toward the locker room. The exact injury isn’t known but after the game head coach Dean Evason said it “didn’t look good”. He also said that the injury is not short-term.
While not added to the IR, Elvis Merzlikins sat out a game due to “physical fatigue” but will be ready for Tuesday’s game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Yegor Chinakhov was sent for X-rays after blocking a shot in Thursday’s win against Buffalo. He was able to return for Saturday’s loss against the Minnesota Wild.
Justin Danforth has returned from injury and made his season debut in Thursday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres.
CBJ v FLA
The Blue Jackets kicked the week off on Tuesday, October 15, in their home opener against the Florida Panthers. The usual home opening ceremony was postponed until Thursday, and instead, there was a memorial for Johnny Gaudreau.
After a heartwarming tribute to Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau, the game was underway. The first period was scoreless for both teams, but Cole Sillinger was quick to start the scoring in the second period. Sillinger received a breakaway pass from Kent Johnson and scored with a snapshot just 41 seconds into the period. The Panthers were unable to answer back until Anton Lundell scored with 9:35 left in the period. About a minute later, Monahan scored a wrist shot to put the Blue Jackets up 2-1. Dmitry Kulikov and Sam Reinhart both notched goals to finish the period with Florida leading 3-2.
The third period did not see any scoring until just under five minutes left to go. Florida’s Eetu Luosarinen scored a snap shot to put them up 4-2. With under three minutes left, James van Riemsdyk was able to deflect the puck into the net to reduce the Panther’s lead to 4-3. The Blue Jackets weren’t able to answer back and Florida went home the winner.
CBJ v BUF
The Blue Jackets held their usual home opening ceremony on Thursday, October 17, at Nationwide Arena against the Buffalo Sabres. This included the usual “blue carpet walk,” where players entered the arena much like the “red carpet walk” for the Oscar Awards, as well as other fun events.
The Blue Jackets took control of the game early as Yegor Chinakhov scored a powerplay goal just over five minutes into the first period. The Jackets held the Sabres scoreless, and Kirill Marchenko notched a goal near the end of the period to finish the first 2-0.
Buffalo answered back around ten minutes into the second period when Ryan McLeod scored on a counterattack. Adam Fantilli answered back three minutes later to put the Blue Jackets in the lead 3-1. The scoring wasn’t done there as Sabre’s Jiri Kulich tipped in a shot with two and a half minutes left in the period. Mathieu Olivier regained the Jackets two-goal lead half a minute later making the score 4-2. Buffalo wasn’t done yet, and with under 30 seconds left, Owen Power scored a snap shot to finish the period with a 4-3 Blue Jackets lead.
The Jackets took to the ice in the third period and scored almost immediately. Just 15 seconds in Zach Aston-Reese tipped in a shot from Jake Christiansen to put Columbus up 5-3. Defenseman Damon Severson also got into the action with a snap shot around eight minutes in making it 6-3. Buffalo tried to answer back with a goal from JJ Peterka, but it was too little too late, and the Blue Jackets won 6-4.
CBJ v MIN
After losing to them 3-2 in the season opener, the Blue Jackets were looking to gain one back against the Minnesota Wild. On Saturday, October 19, the Blue Jackets hosted the Wild for their third home game in a row.
The Wild were the first to score. With just over seven minutes left in the period, Marco Rossi received a centered pass and scored with a slapshot. The rest of the period was scoreless, as was the entire second period.
Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov started the scoring in the third period with a powerplay goal about three minutes in. Mats Zuccarello also scored for the Wild putting them up 3-0 with 12:34 to play. With about a minute and a half to play, Yegor Chinakhov was able to rush up the ice and score the Blue Jackets only goal. The Wild won 3-1.
Chinakhov has had a hot start this season. So far he has scored three goals and registered four assists. He’s leading the Blue Jackets in points and his linemates are right behind him as Kirill Marchenko has two goals and four assists, and Sean Monahan has two goals and three assists. Kent Johnson had been right there with them with two goals and three assists before he was injured.
Injuries have plagued the Blue Jackets’ past few seasons. This season has started the same with a few major injuries within the first two weeks. One big difference from the last few seasons is a new GM and head coach. Don Waddell and Dean Evason have shown they’re not afraid to make moves to get ahead as much as possible. With so many injuries, there are tough decisions to make when figuring out players’ roles. Some players may get the opportunity for more ice time or to play on lines they otherwise wouldn’t. It wouldn’t be surprising to see some line shuffling in the coming weeks as different players develop chemistry and find their roles.
The Blue Jackets’ next game is Tuesday, October 22, at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
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