The Columbus Blue Jackets are on a tear, winning 11 of their last 12 games and closing the gap to just four points behind the Boston Bruins for the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. And guess who they face next? The Bruins, in a high-stakes matchup right after the Olympic break.
Their hot streak, highlighted by a seven-game winning run, also puts them within striking distance of the New York Islanders for third place in the Metropolitan Division. The schedule is set up for drama, with the Islanders visiting Columbus on Saturday for the Blue Jackets' first home game since the break.
Under the guidance of coach Rick Bowness, the Blue Jackets have been grinding it out in practice, focusing on regaining their competitive edge and timing. “The challenges are to get that competitive spirit back and get your reads down,” Bowness noted, emphasizing the transition from practice to the physicality of real games.
Bowness had been contemplating some major strategic changes, but the team’s pre-break performance convinced him to stick with minor adjustments. This week’s practices were intense, with a mix of skating drills and strategic sessions focusing on six-on-five and three-on-three situations-crucial for the playoff push.
The Blue Jackets are healthier than they’ve been in a long time, giving Bowness confidence in his lineup depth. Boone Jenner, once the top-line center, now anchors the fourth line, highlighting the team’s newfound depth and adaptability.
Adam Fantilli, the first-line center, summed it up perfectly: “The biggest word for us right now is selflessness. It’s all for the playoffs and it’s all for the team.”
Expect some rust as the Blue Jackets and Bruins shake off the Olympic break cobwebs, but both teams are in the same situation. For players like Zach Werenski, who’s fresh off an Olympic gold, shifting focus back to the NHL grind is the new challenge.
Bowness has likened the past week to a minicamp, but with a twist-games are about to get a lot more intense. “Every game gets tougher from here on in. We just have to be up for that challenge,” he said.
The schedule is relentless, with the Blue Jackets set to play 26 games in 48 days, including 17 in March alone. It’s a grueling stretch, but as center Charlie Coyle pointed out, it helps maintain rhythm. “You just have to focus on recovery and taking care of yourself.”
The Blue Jackets are in the thick of it now, with every game carrying playoff implications. It’s all about staying sharp, staying healthy, and keeping that winning momentum alive.