The Columbus Blue Jackets have been the NHL's best story this season, but can they finish strong and make the playoffs?
The 2024-25 season has proved to be a very challenging season for the upstart Columbus Blue Jackets.
They came into this season grieving over the loss of their best player but decided they were going to play for Johnny. On opening night, Johnny's widow Meredith gave a speech on the jumbotron where she told the players and fans to just "play hockey," so that's what they are doing.
From even before the season started, the CBJ have had to deal with injuries. Boone Jenner went down with a shoulder injury in camp, Erik Gudbranson also had a shoulder injury in the first few games that put him out long-term, and Yegor Chinakhov suffered a back injury that has kept him out for the last 35 games. Tack on Sean Monahan and Kirill Marchenko, and the total man games lost at the 4-Nations break sits at 228.
Coming back from the break, the CBJ will have 26 games left in the season, and it won't get any easier for the youngsters in blue.
According to Tankathon, The Blue Jackets play the 5th hardest schedule of all 32 NHL teams. That's right, even though every single night for the first 56 games has been tough, it's about to get tougher. Only Detroit, Seattle, San Jose, and Buffalo have a tougher schedule.
The Jackets have 26 games left and will face a schedule with a combined winning % of .564. Detroit has by far the hardest schedule whose opponents have a combined winning % of .587.
In terms of their most difficult remaining games, based on the current standings, the Blue Jackets have three games against Ottawa, and two games against Washington, Florida, New Jersey, New York(R), and the New York Islanders. All either current playoff teams, or teams fighting for the playoffs. They also play singles against teams like Vegas, Tampa, and Dallas.
Tankathon also lists teams like Chicago, Nashville, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh as being part of the "easy" schedule, but as we know, there is no such thing as easy when a team is battling for a playoff spot.
We're almost to the home stretch of the season. When the teams come back after the 4-Nations Faceoff, it'll be a sprint to the finish. For teams like the Blue Jackets, every night will be a battle as they try to secure a wild card position.
They should be getting some reinforcements back soon though. Boone Jenner and Dante Fabbro are expected to be back after the break. Kirill Marchenko has been fitted for a special bubble so he can play after coming back from jaw surgery. His shot and scoring ability have been sorely missed in the last few games.
Buckle up CBJ fans, it's going to be a wild ride in the last 26 games.
What's Next: Zach Werenski and Team USA will take on Canada on Saturday night in the 4-Nations Faceoff. The rest of the Jackets will get some much-needed R&R before coming back home to play the Chicago Blackhawks on Feb. 22.
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