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The Columbus Blue Jackets stumble against the Winnipeg Jets: 3 takeaways

Pabio November 3, 2024

It wasn’t the kind of six-goal night that people I got used to seeing this season at Nationwide Arena.

Rather than score goals as a group themselves, the Blue Jackets (5-4-1) were the recipients of a final score of 6-2 Friday night against the Winnipeg Jets (10-1-0). Just like the day after two clashes against the Jets last season, this one left a mark.

“We just didn’t play smart,” Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski said. “We had too many turnovers and I didn’t think we were accurate in the (defensive) zone. It felt like we almost gave it to them tonight, and they didn’t deserve it. Obviously, it’s a competent team. They don’t give you much, but I think we could have been a little better, just by making it harder for them.

Here are three points to remember:

The Winnipeg Jets give Columbus Blue Jackets new aggressive style lesson

What happened to the Blue Jackets on their own ice wasn’t anything new or even unexpected to those who’ve watched them play over the past three years.

The Jets are bigger, faster and have even more skill than an upstart Jackets team showed in an impressive 5-3-1 start before this game. They forced the issue inside the Columbus zone from start to finish, displaying a style of hockey that the Blue Jackets have used repeatedly in their own blowout victories.

“We never forechecked, not all night,” Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason said. “There was no pressure, no sustained heat for us in all three zones, but especially in the offensive zone.”

The way the Jets play is exactly the way the Blue Jackets strive to play, with relentless pushing backed by smart plays to pressure opposing players into making mistakes.

It’s the latest example of the Jets using this format to hammer the Blue Jackets, after beating them in a two-game series last season that resulted in Winnipeg winning by a combined margin of 11-1. The Jackets’ goal now is to figure out how to turn things around against skilled “heavyweight” teams like the Jets, who have plenty of impact NHL talent at their disposal.

“This team pushed us to make mistakes,” Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason said. “If we hadn’t put the pucks on our backhand and made some passes to the middle of the ice and soft plays… that would have allowed them to get more touches in the offensive zone and gain the confidence that ‘They must already succeed this evening.’

Dmitri Voronkov adds depth to Columbus Blue Jackets coaching staff

Dmitri Voronkov’s return to the lineup against Winnipeg was an early surprise after suffering a left shoulder injury in the Jackets’ penultimate preseason game. It will take a few games to get him back up to speed after a long absence, as evidenced by a -3 plus/minus rating in 13:24 against the Jets, but getting him back in the game should eventually give him a boost.

Standing at 6-foot-5 and 227 pounds, the Russian forward was an interesting addition for coach Dean Evason and his team to slot into the lineup against another opponent with a “heavy” lineup. Voronkov brings soft hands to match his size and strength, and he demonstrated a nose for scoring as a rookie with 18 goals.

His return, however, marks another positive development for the Blue Jackets. They are back with 13 healthy forwards with a long road trip on the horizon, giving the coaching staff more options when constructing line combinations. Voronkov, for example, edged out Kevin Labanc despite the veteran winger’s five assists in seven games and his impressive performance Wednesday in the Jackets’ 2-0 win over the New York Islanders.

Evason spoke with Labanc before the Jackets’ optional morning skate Friday to break the news that he’s the odd man out.

“It’s hard to talk to a player and say, ‘You played your best game, but guess what, you’re not playing tonight,'” Evason said. “It’s difficult, but you do it face to face, you do it honestly, directly, and you give him the opportunity to express his opinion on why he didn’t think he should come out- out. You listen and hopefully make an informed decision as we move forward.

Evason said Labanc isn’t thrilled, but that’s exactly what the coaches hope to see from the players in this situation.

“You want guys to be (upset) about not playing, and he is, which is awesome,” Evason said. “I hope we make these tough decisions and make the right ones.”

Columbus Blue Jackets’ favorable schedule reverses against Washington Capitals

One of the biggest stories from the Jackets’ first month of the season was how often they played home teams in the second half of back-to-back games.

Six of their first nine games, including five at Nationwide Arena, took place in this scenario and it likely played a role in their impressive 5-3-1 start. Saturday in Washington, it’s the Blue Jackets’ turn to wear it in the second leg of a back-to-back game and it’s ugly. The game kicks off at 5 p.m. at Capital One Arena and the Washington Capitals will be fresh after not playing Friday night. That’s exactly how things play out in the NHL schedule, which generally works evenly after 82 games.

“We’ve already said in the locker room that we’re excited to get back to this,” Evason said. “You look up and we have a game at 5 p.m. A quick bite, a quick rest and off we go. We can correct the mistakes made in this hockey game. If that doesn’t happen (in Washington), we’ll give ourselves a chance.”

The Capitals are 7-2-0 and in second place in the Metropolitan Division. So this is also a key matchup for the Blue Jackets within their own division. After Friday’s tough game against Winnipeg, it will be interesting to see how their legs respond in the nation’s capital.

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@BrianHedger