Blue Jackets Weekly Notebook: Blue Jackets with Two BIG Wins

It’s been almost a month since Columbus first took to the ice this season, and already the Blue Jackets are showing they’re a force to contend with. After a pair of big wins over the Colorado Avalanche last Wednesday and Saturday, the Blue Jackets will get some time off, as the next Columbus game isn’t until Friday night. 

Here’s a recap of the last week and a look ahead to this weekend’s action:

Blue Jackets Stun Avs Twice

In an oddly-scheduled home-and-home back-to-back, the Blue Jackets found themselves with an early lull resulting in three games in 12 days. 

On Wednesday, Columbus got off to a hot start and held a two-goal lead in the third period but nearly let it slip away as J.T. Compher and Bowen Byram scored in the final four minutes to tie things up late. 

However, Jake Bean was able to find open space in the high slot and bury the overtime winner, his second goal of the game, and lead the Jackets to a 5-4 victory on the road. 

The rematch in Columbus on Saturday was a bit more decisive, as the Blue Jackets had one of their strongest periods of the season so far. Trailing 2-1 in the final frame, Alexandre Texier scored his third of the season to tie the game, then with just over a minute to go, rookie sensation Cole Sillinger redirected a Yegor Chinakhov shot to take the lead. 

Vladislav Gavrikov added an empty netter for good measure and Columbus went on to win 4-2. 

Colorado is still the betting favorite to win the Stanley Cup at +650, but they opened the season around +400. After back-to-back losses to the Blue Jackets, the Florida Panthers have crept into the conversation as well and are also +650. 

Domi Nearing Return

Center Max Domi has not played since October 31 after testing positive for COVID-19. GM Jarmo Kekäläinen said on Monday Domi was able to check out of the hotel in New York City where he had been in quarantine and is back in Columbus, but he still needs a negative test before he can return to the ice. 

In the four games, he’s played this season, Domi has a goal and four assists. 

Domi is diabetic, and those with diabetes are at a greater risk of long-term COVID-19 effects. The team is optimistic about Domi’s return, but they won’t bring him back until he’s 100% ready. 

Big Tests Against Capitals, Rangers This Weekend

With plenty of time to get rested and healthy, the Blue Jackets will need to come out of the gates firing against the Washington Capitals on Friday night and have plenty of energy for a game the next day against the New York Rangers. 

Washington improved its record to 6-2-4 with a win over the Buffalo Sabres on Monday, leaving the Capitals two points out of first in a crowded Metropolitan Division. Led by Alexander Ovechkin who moved into fourth place on the all-time goals list Monday, Washington is a dangerous team, even without some of its star players out due to injury. T.J. Oshie, Anthony Mantha, and Nicklas Backstrom are all questionable for this weekend.

The Rangers are red hot as well, beating the first-place Florida Panthers 4-3 on Monday. New York has an excellent goaltender in Igor Shesterkin, an excellent team defense led by Norris Trophy winner Adam Fox, and a pair of bonafide scorers in Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad.

Both games should be a great measuring stick for where the Blue Jackets truly fall in the division this season.