COLUMBUS, Ohio — A collection of notes, insights, ruminations and did-you-knows gathered throughout the week that was for the Columbus Blue Jackets:
Item 1: A key stretch
For the first time in three seasons, it’s safe for Blue Jackets fans to check the NHL standings.
Nope, not down there. Higher. Higher. Yep, there they are.
Since their long-awaited win in Pittsburgh on Jan. 7, the Blue Jackets have held one of the wild-card spots in the Eastern Conference. After the point earned Saturday in a 1-0 shootout loss to the New York Rangers, the Jackets sit in the first wild-card spot. If the season ended today, the Jackets would play the Toronto Maple Leafs in a first-round series.
It does not end today, of course. But the Blue Jackets are just underway in a key stretch that could go a long way in deciding whether their fans are doing “playoff math” this March and April.
The shootout loss in Madison Square Garden was the beginning of a stretch in which the Blue Jackets will play eight of nine games away from the friendly confines of Nationwide Arena. It continues on Monday when they play another Metropolitan Division opponent, the New York Islanders, in Brooklyn.
The Blue Jackets are currently on a seven-game point streak (6-0-1), their longest point streak since the 2020-21 season when they went on a 4-0-3 run from Jan. 18-29. If they win (or get at least a point) on Monday vs. the Islanders, it’ll be their longest point streak since a 10-gamer (9-0-1) in 2019-20.
Yes, that’s the last year they qualified for the playoffs.
Asked if he can feel his club’s confidence elevating, Blue Jackets first-year coach Dean Evason took a different approach.
“Regardless of how we feel, for the most part, we’re playing the right way,” Evason said. “When you do that, you gain confidence in how you’re playing. You’re not fearing the other team, you’re not chasing games, you’re staying in games and at least giving yourself a chance to catch a break in these tight games.
“If playing the right way allows us to be confident, then sure.”
The Blue Jackets are unquestionably better this season. Defenseman Zach Werenski is having a magical campaign, veteran center Sean Monahan has been a godsend to a young roster with a need for a top center, and the young players you’ve heard so much about the past few seasons have started to become difference-makers.
They’ve also been helped, though, by an Eastern Conference that is up for grabs after the top four or five teams. Columbus (22-17-7) is currently in seventh, but — through Saturday’s games — there are seven teams behind the Blue Jackets within five points.
Evason has begun stressing two key points that have served his club well in recent games: He wants them to play smarter and limit prime scoring chances on his goaltender, and he wants them to remain patient and poised in tight games, even if they fall behind. Those two are not mutually exclusive, of course.
The Jackets are 2-0-1 in their last three road games, allowing only four goals. They’ve gone five straight games without allowing more than two goals. Increasingly, this is what games will start to look like if the Blue Jackets can remain in the hunt.
“Those are the games we have to play,” Evason said. “We have to learn how to win those games that aren’t pretty. They’re uglier games, but they’re effective styles of playing. I hope we have a memory bank of how we’ve played some of these games and we can start playing with that mentality.”
It says here that if the Blue Jackets emerge from this tough bump on the schedule — the span with eight road games in nine outings ends in Buffalo on Feb. 4 — it’ll be safe for fans to start doing playoff math, that tortuous process that can take over your waking moments in the spring.
The Blue Jackets play the Islanders on Monday, then play a tough back-to-back in Toronto (Wednesday) and Carolina (Thursday) before they make it back to Columbus to host Los Angeles next Saturday.
Then, after a four-day break without a game, the Jackets take off for the second leg, which starts in Vegas (Jan. 30), then heads to Utah (Jan. 31), Dallas (Feb. 2) and finally Buffalo (Feb. 4).
After the game in Buffalo, the Blue Jackets play 16 of their final 28 games at home (either Nationwide or Ohio Stadium) and don’t leave the Eastern time zone for any of the road games.
The Blue Jackets have become the darlings of the NHL this season, one of the biggest surprises in recent memory. If they can emerge from this tough stretch with their season intact, it might be safe to believe the improbable is possible.
Item 2: Cannon critique
There was a fascinating development in Columbus, across Ohio and among NHL fans across the world on Thursday when the NHL revealed the sweaters to be worn in the March 1 NHL Stadium Series game between the Blue Jackets and Detroit Red Wings in Ohio Stadium.
GO DEEPER
Blue Jackets, Red Wings introduce NHL Stadium Series jerseys
Who knew there were so many fashion experts?
Whenever an NHL team creates a new look, there are strong opinions in every direction — those who love it, hate it, can’t wait to buy it and never want to see it again.
The Athletic decided to ask an actual fashion designer for his thoughts on the Blue Jackets’ new look.
Ready for the ‘Shoe 🙌
Preorder yours now at https://t.co/vjwZISFACQ! pic.twitter.com/OXXhodbhWM
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) January 16, 2025
The Columbus College of Art & Design helped us connect with David Vega, a recent graduate of the Fashion Design program and a designer for Abercrombie & Fitch under the Hollister Men’s brand. Vega, a native of Youngstown, Ohio, has had his own clothing line, Color Theory, since 2020.
“My cousin went to the CBJ game on Thursday (vs. San Jose), and we’ve talked in the past about their jerseys, just what we think about them,” Vega said. “We talked about this new one on Thursday when it came out, absolutely.”
Well?
“It definitely feels more modern,” Vega said. “I like the simple branding with the cannon, and I prefer this logo over the regular one, I’m not going to lie. Just having the cannon … it’s an if-you-know-you-know moment, which is really cool for this kind of an event.
“The sleeve blocking is really interesting to me. The chevron on the sleeve is classic, but this is a really modern take on it. The red really pops on these, both the color and the placement. That sparkle on the silver? That’s an aspect that some people might not like, but as a younger consumer, I think that’s pretty cool detail.”
That aesthetic — classic details, but with a modern twist — was a theme for Vega.
“That CBJ patch on the shoulder is a newer logo, I believe,” he said. “I like that a lot. Again, it has that classic feel, but with a modern take.
“The numbers are quite large, and that’s something I noticed. That’s practical, being in a big outdoor stadium, but it’s also a look. I like the way the numbers hit on the shoulders. They’re huge on the back, but I feel like that’s something I’d have to see in person to really know how I feel about it.”
The Blue Jackets have worn the cannon as the primary logo on their third jerseys, but it’s much more prominent — and it stands alone — on the Stadium Series sweater.
One of the early options presented to the Blue Jackets by Fanatics, who designed the sweater, had “Ohio” as a prominent part of the sweater. Others wondered if “Columbus” shouldn’t have been featured prominently, but not Vega.
“That’s a fair point, but I feel like that’s an outdated take in a way,” Vega said. “Is a nod to the city really that important anymore? If you’re from the city, you may want that. But if you want to expand the fan base — if you want people to want this sweater who aren’t from Columbus or Ohio.
“There are people out there from beyond Ohio saying, ‘Let me like the Blue Jackets!’ Do they want this big Ohio flag on their jersey? Let’s try to expand this fan base. Let’s go for symbolism instead. That’s the cannon.”
We asked Vega about the other three sweaters the Blue Jackets have worn: the original with the script “CBJ” on the crest, the current main sweater with the swirled Ohio flag, and the current third jersey in a lighter blue with a smaller cannon on the crest.
The original: “Kinda weird, and not my favorite. That’s a sign of the times a little bit. Everybody was trying to be a little futuristic. Yeah, not the greatest look. I don’t even hate the logo, but the green is a weird touch.”
The mains: “I’m not a fan of the huge Ohio flag. To me, that’s a secondary logo.”
The thirds: “The cannon is so cool. And I love the slight change of color to really set it off.”
1. What part of Columbus is home and why?
I’m in the Short North. I picked there for the convenience, being close to the rink. It’s a quick walk to the rink each day. Easy.
2. What’s your biggest surprise with Columbus?
When I came here on the road, I never really explored anywhere. My girlfriend (Sasha) and I have found a lot of areas that are really cool, some fun places to poke around, great restaurants. I’ve been able to see a different side of it, and it’s been great.
3. Favorite restaurant in Columbus?
Sasha and I really like Martini (Modern Italian). That’s a really good spot. It’s convenient, too — it’s right down the street from us — but it’s also one of our favorites. Really like Cento (in German Village). I’m probably not great on the lunchy places because I eat lunch at home a lot. We like to cook. Sasha is a great cook.
4. Who’s the best player you’ve played with and against?
For me, the “with” and “against” are going to be pretty similar because I’ve played with some great players. Sidney Crosby, for sure. I was on his line for a couple of games early in my career. He assisted on my first goal, which is pretty cool. Also played with (Evgeni) Malkin and (Phil) Kessel there (in Pittsburgh). In Anaheim, I got to play with (Ryan) Getzlaf in his last year before retirement. I mean, (Auston) Matthews, (William) Nylander and (Mitch) Marner in Toronto. I’ve been very lucky. Even here, watching (Sean) Monahan and Marchy (Kirill Marchenko), and obviously Zach (Werenski). The best guy I’ve played against that I’ve never played with … I’d have to say Kirill Kaprizov (in Minnesota). He hit me once and he hit me really hard. He’s very strong. I remember being really surprised.
5. Which teammate should have a podcast?
It’d be funny to have Mathieu Olivier do one. Or maybe Ronny (Dmitri Voronkov) and Marchy on there would be really fun. (Ivan) Provorov could host. He speaks good English.
Item No. 4: Snacks
• We learned this week that the Blue Jackets will wear the cannon on their sweater during the outdoor game. But that spawned another question: Will the actual cannon — the 1857 Napoleon Field Gun that gets blasted during home games — make its way from Nationwide Arena to Ohio Stadium? Club spokesman Todd Sharrock confirmed to The Athletic on Friday that, yes, the cannon will make its way up High Street for the big event.
• On Friday, the Blue Jackets signed defenseman Jake Christiansen to a two-year, one-way NHL contract extension with a $975,000 salary cap hit. He’ll make $950,000 in 2025-26 and $1 million in 2026-27. It’s a commitment that speaks to Christiansen’s standing in the organization and how that’s evolved with a new coach (Evason) and a new GM (Don Waddell). Christiansen, who played 202 games with AHL Cleveland the last four seasons, played his way onto the roster and into the lineup with a strong training camp. He’s one of only three defensemen — Werenski and Provorov are the others — to dress in all 46 games this season.
• Waddell told FanDuel Sports Network’s Steve Mears and Jody Shelley during Saturday’s game that winger Yegor Chinakhov, out since late November with an upper-body injury, is “still probably a few weeks away” from returning to the lineup. Chinakhov has missed 25 games.
• Better injury news: Forward Justin Danforth, who has missed 18 games, is traveling with the club and could return at some point on this four-game trip.
• Adam Fantilli had his career-long seven-game point streak (4-4-8) snapped vs. the Rangers on Saturday. It’s the longest point streak by a Blue Jackets player under 21 since Rick Nash had an eight-game streak during the 2023-24 season. Fantilli turned 20 on Oct. 12.
TARRY! 💪#CBJ pic.twitter.com/vdCGSwmBkf
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) January 19, 2025
• Saturday’s 1-0 shootout loss to the Rangers marked the third time in franchise history the Blue Jackets have lost a game in which no goals were scored by either club. Daniil Tarasov’s 26 saves went for naught, and he became the first goaltender in NHL history to lose in his first career shutout. The previous times a Blue Jackets goalie lost a shutout: On March 26, 2013, Sergei Bobrovsky had a 34-save shutout in Vancouver but allowed a shootout goal by Canucks forward Maxim Lapierre in the third round; and on April 9, 2010, Steve Mason had a 45-save shutout vs. Detroit, but allowed a Todd Bertuzzi shootout goal in the fourth round.
• The Blue Jackets have also won three games in which they’ve failed to score; most recently on April 27, 2021, in Detroit, when Patrik Laine and Oliver Bjorkstrand scored shootout goals and goaltender Elvis Merzlikins had a 41-save shutout.
• Interesting stat from the NHL: The Blue Jackets are one of four teams remaining this season who haven’t yet pulled a starting goaltender from a game, either for injury or ineffectiveness. The others are Calgary, New Jersey and Winnipeg.
• Here’s this week’s Sunday Gathering trivia question: Tarasov’s shutout on Saturday came in his 54th start for Columbus. Which goaltender made the fewest starts with the Blue Jackets before recording their first shutout for the franchise?
GO DEEPER
Blue Jackets’ Daniil Tarasov records first career shutout in loss, makes NHL history
• John Davidson will be back in the TV booth as an analyst on Monday when the Blue Jackets play the Islanders in UBC Arena, working his third game this season with Mears. Davidson, now a special adviser with the Blue Jackets, is in the Hockey Hall of Fame for his legendary broadcasting career with the Rangers and multiple national networks. He’s filling in for Shelley, who will be working the Tampa Bay at Toronto game as part of Amazon’s national NHL package.
• Trivia answer: Bonus points if you got this one. Mathieu Garon, in his first start (second game) for Columbus, made 36 saves in a 2-0 shutout at Phoenix on Oct. 10, 2009. Dan LaCosta, just a season earlier, wasn’t far behind. On Feb. 10, 2009, in just his second start, LaCosta had 31 saves in a 3-0 win vs. Colorado.
(Photo: Joseph Maiorana / Imagn Images)
