Blue Jackets battles Canucks as Bowness, Johnson, Marchenko, and Merzlikins share pivotal moments and insights from a hard-fought game.
The Columbus Blue Jackets were back in action last night against the Vancouver Canucks in their second game under new head coach Rick Bowness. They were able to come out on the winning side with a 4-1 win, earning Bowness his second win in as many games with his new club.
Let's hear from him and the players about their 4-1 win over the Canucks.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Rick Bowness - Head Coach
- Bowness expressed strong dissatisfaction with the first period, citing poor puck management that allowed the opposition eight scoring chances.
- The team improved significantly in the second and third periods by "playing the right way," limiting the opponent to only six more chances throughout the rest of the game.
- The coach emphasized becoming a "pressure team" both with and without the puck.
- The primary goals were to take away speed through the middle of the ice and protect the front of the net, forcing opponents to take outside shots.
- When asked about historical third-period struggles, Bowness dismissed them as irrelevant "past" issues, focusing only on current expectations.
- Described Zach Werenski as an "elite player" with exceptional poise and a high hockey IQ. Bowness noted that Werenski buys himself time and never puts his partner in trouble with "panic passes".
- Praised Elvis Merzlikins for his calm demeanor and big saves that kept the team in the game after early turnovers.
- Bowness highlighted the chemistry between Sean Monahan and Kent Johnson, specifically praising Johnson’s hockey IQ and their ability to produce against top lines.
- Damon Severson earned praise for his solid play. Bowness also noted that having a balance of three right-handed and three left-handed defensemen allows for better puck movement and vision
- Bowness discussed rotating Erik Gudbranson and Dante Fabbro, noting that Gudbranson needed time to find his rhythm after a period of limited play.
Kent Johnson
- Johnson expressed excitement about the coaching change, stating that Bowness "really grabbed the room" and that playing for him is going to be "fun".
- Reflecting on his earlier struggles under the previous coaching staff, Johnson took full responsibility, noting he had "a lot more to offer" and that his performance was not due to his linemates.
- In Bowness' first two, Johnson has set a new season-high in time on ice, a substantial increase from his season average of roughly 13 minutes.
- Although he did not record a point in the debut game, he was described as looking more engaged, recording three shots on goal and playing on the second line and first power-play unit.
- Bowness identified the need to "get going" young stars like Johnson and spent time early in his tenure communicating directly with players to build relationships and understand what "makes them tick".
- Johnson acknowledged the team’s new focus on defense and accountability, which Bowness has prioritized to reduce high-danger chances and "tighten up" the game.
- Johnson noted he must continue to "earn more trust" and more minutes by winning battles and being more productive offensively.
- Marchenko highlighted that the team is playing with much more aggression, focusing on "hunting the puck" rather than waiting for the play to come to them.
- Unlike previous games where the team struggled with leads, Marchenko noted that the new approach requires playing with the same high intensity from the first period through the third.
- By being more aggressive, the team is successfully forcing opponents into turnovers, which has directly created more scoring chances.
- He noted a stronger focus on "reloading" in the defensive zone and working harder as a collective unit to support one another.
Kirill Marchenko
- Marchenko stated that the players are genuinely enjoying the new system, describing the environment as "awesome" and "fun".
- Marchenko jokingly referred to himself as a "little bit like a coach" after discussing specific plays and techniques with teammate Charlie Coyle during practice, which later resulted in a goal.
- He expressed that the new high-tempo style suits his personal game well, as it allows him to utilize his skating ability and offensive instincts.
- Marchenko praised Coyle’s "unbelievable" goal, noting that they had discussed the specific move in practice.
- He emphasized that the recent success is the result of a "good team effort" where everyone is committed to playing "the right way".
Elvis Merzlikins
- Merzlikins noted that shots are now coming from farther distances and more predictable angles (like the corners) rather than high-danger areas like the slot.
- He highlighted that the defensemen are doing a better job of "boxing out" opponents, providing him with a clearer line of sight to the puck.
- He praised his teammates for their commitment to blocking shots and playing "sound defensively," especially during late-game pressure.
- Merzlikins observed a positive change in how the team handles the third period, noting that they no longer "back off" but continue to attack even when defending a lead.
- He admitted that winning his first start under Bowness meant "a lot" for his personal confidence after a period of limited playing time.
- Merzlikins emphasized the importance of finding his "flow" again and admitted he is focusing more on his own preparation rather than over-analyzing the systemic changes.
- He expressed genuine excitement about Bowness’s arrival, stating that the new coach has brought "new energy" to the locker room.
- While he acknowledged that the team hasn't had a "legit practice" yet to fully master Bowness's system, he is impressed with how quickly the players are adapting.
- He noticed that the team’s energy and competitive level have remained high, which he attributes to the clear expectations set by the new coaching staff.
- Merzlikins commended his teammates for being "smart enough" to understand what the new coach wants from them even without extensive practice time.
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