The Columbus Blue Jackets were back in action yesterday against the Pittsburgh Penguins on the second half of a back-to-back that saw both games start at 3:00 pm. In the first game against the Buffalo Sabres, they won 5-1 snapping their 10 game winning streak. Unfortunately, in yesterday's game, they didn't have the same luck. They lost 5-4 in overtime in a Metro-Division game that points were important. Let's hear what the players had to say about the loss: COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS Dean Evason – Head Coach * Felt the team lost their grip on the game starting with the second goal they allowed. * Pointed out that turning the puck over three times led directly to a goal in their net. * Regretted giving the opposing team "life" with only three minutes left in the second period. * Attributed the shift in momentum to "very unintelligent decisions" made by his players. * Noted that once the other team had momentum, their "special players made special plays". * Described the start of the game as being as bad as the team has played all season. * Nearly called a timeout early on but held off because the players were saying the right things on the bench. * Clarified that the team's drop in energy in the third period was mental rather than physical. * Mentioned the team is in "fantastic shape," but the mental grind of the game caught up to them. * Felt the team "frustrated themselves" by not sticking to the disciplined, "boring" game plan that worked previously. * Critiqued the team for extending their shifts at the end of the game instead of trusting their teammates. * Noted that a lack of "jump" and pressure prevented them from stopping the empty-net goal. * Acknowledged the frustration of losing the lead but emphasized the importance of moving on quickly. * Confirmed after watching the replay that the opponent's late goal was not offside. * Plans to use the upcoming five-hour flight and road trip as an opportunity for the team to "grind and fight together". Boone Jenner: * Admitted the team's energy dropped significantly in the third period, leading to a visible decline in their play. * Expressed frustration that the group "sat back" and allowed the opponent to dictate the game's pace. * Emphasized that the team needs to do a better job of "controlling their energy" to avoid late-game collapses. * Acknowledged that having a lead slip away in the final 20 minutes has been a recurring issue for the team this season. * Dismissed the idea that playing a specific team causes these collapses, stating it's about their own consistency rather than the opponent. * Stated the importance of finding ways to "close out games," especially when they have a two-goal lead at home. * Suggested that a "big shift" from a specific line or individual is often needed to stop the opponent's momentum. * Noted that while they've had strong third periods recently, they failed to build on that success in this specific game. Mason Marchment: * Felt the team needed more vocal energy on the bench to help translate into better performance on the ice. * Mentioned that once the opponent got their power-play goal, the team should have been more aggressive in their response. * Confirmed that the officials were reviewing for an offside call at the very end of the game. * Believes the solution to their recent struggles is to stay aggressive and not back off when they have a lead. * Emphasized that giving skilled opponents too much time and space allows them to make game-changing plays. * Felt that for about 50 minutes, the team played a very solid and effective game. * Stressed the importance of teammates backing each other up, especially when someone "dives in" to make a play. * Noted that little things, like coverage and supporting one another, are what will ultimately help them close out wins. * Acknowledged that the opponent has "world-class players" who are capable of storming back if given the opportunity. * Admitted there was a departure from their successful early-game play style during the third period. * Reiterated that the team's best defense is a proactive offense that limits the opponent's time with the puck. * Confirmed the bench was reacting to either a "too many men" situation or a potential offside on the late goal. * Admitted he didn't personally get a clear look at the play to determine if it was definitely offside. * Noted the confusion at the end of the game, as he wasn't sure what the official protocol was for referees staying on the ice. * Mentioned that he hadn't experienced a finish quite like that before, where the officials left the ice despite the bench's protests. Zach Werenski: * Felt that the team's energy dipped after a strong start, which gave the opponent "life" and momentum. * Noted that when the bench is alive and the team is playing wave after wave, they are a very good hockey team. * Stated that a lack of energy and confidence often leads the team to play "too simple" when they have a lead. * Suggested that energy can be regained through vocal communication and simple physical acts like banging sticks on the boards or tapping teammates' shin pads. * Observed that the team becomes "disconnected" across all three zones when their energy levels fall. * Explained that defensive issues often start with a lack of pressure on the forecheck, which impacts gaps and coverage in the defensive zone. * Admitted that while playing simple is sometimes necessary, the team occasionally resorts to just chipping pucks out and giving up possession too easily. * Emphasized that playing with confidence and making proactive plays is "contagious" and helps the team maintain control. * Noted that there was confusion at the end of the game regarding a possible offside on the opponent's final goal. * Clarified that after seeing a replay, the team realized the play was actually onside, but they felt it was worth asking the officials for a review. Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw/sections/CAQqEAgAKgcICjCvqtILMO7F6QMwm-DfCA?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] and never miss a story. Let us know what you think below. Image [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/1cf97c56-9b5e-42d9-bc47-72fee85d7ac8.jpeg] For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free [https://thehockeynews.store/products/print-subscription]. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum. Former Columbus Blue Jackets Defenseman Jack Johnson Has A New Job [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/2c30a9c2-e6b9-49ba-b06a-586ce3d64426.jpeg] Former Columbus Blue Jackets Defenseman Jack Johnson Has A New Job Johnson played 1,228 NHL games. [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/columbus-blue-jackets/latest-news/former-columbus-blue-jackets-defenseman-jack-johnson-has-a-new-job] Energy Was The Theme for Last Night's Loss, But Energy Can't Be Taught [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/09e2290e-2c4a-4337-becd-6754e97e4e39.jpeg] Energy Was The Theme for Last Night's Loss, But Energy Can't Be Taught The Blue Jackets lost to the Penguins last night 5-4 in overtime. 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