The Columbus Blue Jackets have defied expectations, transforming from a projected bottom-feeder into a serious Stanley Cup Playoff contender. The team's resurgence is fueled by a combination of strong offensive production, key player contributions, and a resilient team spirit.
The Columbus Blue Jackets ' improbable rise from being projected as one of the NHL 's worst teams to a legitimate Stanley Cup Playoff contender has become the biggest story of the 2024-25 season. The team, currently riding a five-game win streak, boasts an 8-2-1 record in its last 11 games and sits comfortably in the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. They've managed this feat despite facing a wave of injuries to key players.
The Blue Jackets' offensive prowess is compensating for any 5-on-5 deficiencies, ranking No. 7 overall in goals scored and boasting a top-10 power play unit.Much of this success stems from a Norris Trophy-worthy season from Zach Werenski, who leads the team with 50 points in 44 games. Three forwards – Sean Monahan, Kirill Marchenko, and Dmitri Voronkov – are also vastly outperforming expectations. Each boasts a plus rating and has contributed 41, 48, and 30 points, respectively. The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun notes that at the beginning of the season, Werenski appeared to be a No. 1 defenseman with some defensive weaknesses, while the other three seemed destined for solid middle-six roles. Their combined Net Rating, initially a respectable plus-10.8, has skyrocketed to plus-46.2, reflecting their exceptional performance. 'I think the thing I'm most proud of is just how hard we work every night and how we do it for each other,' Werenski stated. 'It's been awesome.' Werenski has solidified his position as a clear top-10, possibly even top-5, defenseman, while the three forwards have elevated their game to become bona fide top-line players. This success is particularly evident in their collective performance, outscoring opponents 22-5 and controlling 60 percent of expected goals, making them one of the most dominant lines in hockey. On December 18th, the Blue Jackets were ranked 26th in the NHL standings, trailing a wild-card spot by five points. After dropping eight of their last nine games, the playoffs seemed increasingly out of reach. Since then, they've gone 9-3, demonstrating their ability to adapt and find different ways to win. Their gritty 3-2 shootout victory against the Flyers on Tuesday exemplifies this resilience. 'The guys, you have to play in different ways,' head coach Dean Evason said after the win. 'It was just a grinding, in the mud, muck game, and both teams were committed. It was a good hockey game.' While there are many ways to analyze the Jackets' rise to prominence, the emotional narrative surrounding the team is equally compelling. In the wake of Johnny Gaudreau's sudden and tragic passing in August, the Blue Jackets have rallied around the memory of the superstar. 'I think coming into the year before John's passing, I think it was refreshing to have new management, new coaches,' Werenski said. 'I think there was a lot of excitement just within our room, just to kind of have a new feel. We all kind of knew what we could be. It was just doing it. And then obviously with the circumstances and what happened, you're never really too sure how a team or a group is going to respond.' Gaudreau and his brother, Matthew, passed away on August 29th after being struck by a car while cycling in their hometown of Salem County, New Jersey. Heartbroken, the team came together for a candlelight vigil in Columbus on September 4th and attended the funeral in Media, Pennsylvania on September 9th. Training camp began shortly after on September 18th. The Blue Jackets continue to fight for Johnny, Matthew, and the Gaudreau family as they embark on a four-game road trip beginning in New York against the Rangers on Saturday.
NHL Columbus Blue Jackets Stanley Cup Playoffs Zach Werenski Sean Monahan Kirill Marchenko Dmitri Voronkov Johnny Gaudreau
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