The Columbus Blue Jackets are lastly coming house after enduring a five-game street journey that noticed them cross a number of time zones. They left some key standings factors on the desk.
The Blue Jackets went 1-3-1 on their street journey that noticed them go to New York, Calgary, Vancouver, Edmonton after which Seattle. The sport in opposition to the Islanders was the second of back-to-back video games as was the sport in opposition to the Kraken.
Usually accruing simply three of 10 doable factors is trigger for concern. However there was some good too. That’s the place we begin this week’s version of Blue Jackets’ Information & Rumors. What will we make of this accomplished street journey?
Street Journey Reflections
The Blue Jackets ought to really feel each good and terrible about this street journey. They have been capable of present in spurts what sort of a crew they are often. Additionally they confirmed that they’ve an extended approach to go with regards to dealing with themselves in massive moments in video games.
An argument might be made that the Blue Jackets ought to have had a greater file out of this journey than what they completed. In the event that they maintain late leads in opposition to the Islanders and Oilers, they arrive house with three wins out of 5. That makes any street journey a profitable one.
The Blue Jackets allowed two objectives to the Islanders late in regulation to lose 3-2. Then they allowed a tying purpose whereas on the facility play to lose a degree in opposition to the Oilers. These three factors may come again and hang-out them on the finish of the season.
Regardless of the shortcomings, the Blue Jackets performed effectively at totally different occasions. Their subject now’s to do this persistently.
The second interval in Edmonton stands out as one of many Blue Jackets’ most dominating intervals of the season. They’d the puck quite a bit and gave the Oilers nothing.
Many of the recreation in Seattle was good in not permitting a lot to the Kraken. On the second half of back-to-backs, they outshot the Kraken and had probabilities to win in regulation. Matt Murray was sturdy enjoying for an injured Joey Daccord.
Even in Calgary, down 2-1, the Blue Jackets pushed. However pricey errors resulting in odd-man rushes grew to become their downfall. These errors carried over to Vancouver and value them that recreation too regardless of enjoying effectively in stretches.
Adam Fantilli was moved to the highest line with Dmitri Voronkov and Kirill Marchenko for the ultimate three video games of the journey. Fantilli recorded 5 factors in these three video games. He scored the one purpose in regulation for the Blue Jackets Tuesday evening.
Successful in Seattle was massive for a few causes. It gave the Blue Jackets some momentum heading house. They grinded out that recreation whereas coping with sickness and damage. It additionally stored them within the mushy-middle of the Jap Convention standings by preserving them above hockey .500.
The easiest way to explain this previous street journey was it had good, dangerous and ugly in it. The nice was having some dominant stretches in video games. The dangerous was solely getting three of 10 factors. The ugly was the best way they misplaced in New York and Edmonton.
The Blue Jackets can undoubtedly construct from this street journey. However they can’t let factors slip away within the method wherein they did.
Faceoffs, Higher?
You learn that proper. The Blue Jackets have been significantly better within the faceoff circle at first of the 2025-26 season.
The Blue Jackets within the final three seasons previous to this one have been twenty third, twenty seventh and twenty seventh within the NHL at faceoff successful share. They have been by no means increased than 48.6%.
This season? The Blue Jackets have received 51.7% of their faceoffs. That’s eleventh within the NHL. Given the lengthy, documented historical past of heart struggles, this can be a signal of simply how a lot the middle depth has improved.
Blue Jackets PR shared a stat that they’re simply considered one of three groups who’ve 5 or extra gamers win greater than 50% of their faceoffs (minimal 75 attracts) this season.
#NHLStats: #CBJ are 1 of three groups within the NHL with 5 or extra gamers which have received 50.0 pct. or extra of their faceoffs taken (min. 75 attracts), becoming a member of Ottawa (6) and Boston (5).
Jenner – 56.0 Coyle – 53.8Lundestrom – 53.3Monahan – 53.2 Fantilli – 52.1
— CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR) November 12, 2025
It’s a mix of things in play. Captain Boone Jenner, though he’s been on the wing lately, remains to be good at successful attracts. Sean Monahan is constant there too.
Nevertheless it’s the brand new guys Charlie Coyle and Isac Lundestrom who’ve helped stage this a part of the Blue Jackets’ recreation up. Each are over 53% for the season.
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Then there’s what Fantilli has executed. In now his third NHL season, Fantilli has jumped 11% from 41.2% to 52.1%. The additional work he’s executed has paid off.
The Blue Jackets’ top-four facilities (in case you depend Lundestrom) are throughout 52% on the dot. Whereas faceoffs aren’t the top all, they do make sure the Blue Jackets begin with possession extra typically than they don’t. For a crew making an attempt to take the following step, that is essential progress.
Fantilli’s continued improvement coupled with a extra veteran presence down the center have helped solidify an space of the Blue Jackets’ recreation that has eluded them for a lot of seasons. Even when somebody is kicked out, they’ve the power to win essential attracts regardless of who’s in there.
Facet Dishes
The Blue Jackets completed the street journey with an sickness going via the room. It price Cole Sillinger and Miles Wooden a recreation. It could have price Elvis Merzlikins the beginning in Seattle based on Jody Shelley. We’ll see if it’s nonetheless going round Thursday and the way which may influence the lineup. They maintain a full morning skate prematurely of their rematch with the Oilers.
Jenner needed to go away the sport Tuesday evening. No phrase as of this writing what the severity of his damage is.
Kent Johnson was scratched Tuesday evening. No phrase to if it was associated to the sickness or if he was a wholesome scratch. The Blue Jackets ran all 23 skaters in warmups Tuesday to see who was capable of play.
Jake Christiansen solely performed seven minutes in opposition to the Kraken. He missed all the second half of the sport. As of this writing, no roster strikes have been made.
Thursday evening’s recreation with the Oilers is on ESPN+ solely. John Buccigross is on the decision.
