BUFFALO, N.Y. — Facing yet another round of challenges this season, head coach Dean Evason of the Blue Jackets shared a light-hearted moment even before the question about possible lineup adjustments concluded.
“There are indeed a few changes, far too many to discuss,” Evason stated on Tuesday as the Blue Jackets gear up to play against Buffalo without three additional players: star blueliner Zach Werenski (due to an undisclosed injury), forward Kirill Marchenko (who has a broken jaw), and defenseman Dante Fabbro (suffering from an upper body issue). “There will be some alterations. However, I won’t delve into all of them.”
While the absence of their two top scorers, Werenski (57 points) and Marchenko (55 points), may be concerning for any team, it is a familiar scenario for Evason and the Blue Jackets.
“Honestly, what’s the surprise?” Evason remarked. “We trust that our team will handle it just like they’ve approached previous challenges—with calmness, professionalism, and a solid work ethic.”
Despite ultimately falling 3-2 to the Sabres, the Blue Jackets remained steadfast in their overarching philosophy.
“I believe we’ve done an excellent job maturing as a team, but there’s still plenty left to learn,” veteran defenseman Ivan Provorov commented. “We simply need to learn and move forward.”
It may seem surreal, considering that the season began with the organization mourning the tragic losses of Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew in August, compounded by various injuries to key players, including captain Boone Jenner in October. Nevertheless, Columbus finds itself competing fiercely in the Eastern Conference playoff hunt.
“I would be naive to think we would be at this stage of the season given everything that has happened to our franchise,” general manager Don Waddell remarked. “I owe much credit to our team’s leadership for uniting this group; it could have easily gone in the opposite direction—but thankfully, it has not.”
With a record of 26-20-7, the Blue Jackets entered Monday holding onto the Eastern Conference’s eighth and final playoff spot, just a victory away from matching last season’s total.
They have rebounded impressively, experiencing a 14-5-2 streak following a challenging 1-6-2 stretch. Aside from Jenner, who has recently returned to practice, the team is also managing the absences of key contributors like forward Sean Monahan (out with a wrist injury) and defenseman Erik Gudbranson (shoulder injury), both expected back in March.
Ranked eighth in the NHL with 173 goals—a tie for the franchise’s record through 53 games—and 27th in goals allowed with 175, the Blue Jackets attribute their success to a strong work ethic and a blend of youthful energy and experienced players.
“We are aware there were minimal expectations for us,” said Jack Johnson, a seasoned defenseman returning for his second stint in Columbus after 19 years in the NHL. “This has led to playing without pressure, focusing on hard work. Everyone is performing their roles while enjoying the process.”
The tragic memory of Gaudreau, who sadly lost his life in a vehicular accident while riding bicycles with his brother, has united the team.
“I believe this has strengthened our bond,” noted forward Adam Fantilli.
Fantilli, selected third overall in the 2023 draft, has turned his season around, netting eight goals and 15 points in his last 14 games, coinciding with Monahan’s injury. Kent Johnson, the fifth overall pick in the 2021 draft, recorded his career-high 16th goal in the match against Buffalo.
“We’ve battled through games where many thought we wouldn’t prevail,” remarked defenseman Jordan Harris. “We’ve overcome injuries, especially in the cases of Johnny and Matthew. It’s consistently proven that we can push forward.”
The Blue Jackets have a modest overall record of 10-4-7 in one-goal games, but they are 6-2 in their last eight matches. They also exhibit resilience late in games, with a notable record of 23-3-6 when either tied or leading at the end of two periods.
“Credit goes to them for positioning themselves well considering everything that transpired,” stated Sabres coach Lindy Ruff regarding the Blue Jackets.
Evason maintains a sharp focus on the task at hand.
“Our goal remains to compete to win every game,” he emphasized simply. “Every team has faced its share of adversity. Every squad has endured challenges that need overcoming.”
Even so, few teams have navigated the difficulties Columbus has, as Evason carries the poignant reminder of their struggles through the No. 13 patch on his jacket in tribute to Gaudreau.
“They have come together, supported one another, and functioned as a true team despite the challenges,” Evason expressed. “I’m immensely proud of how the players have managed every situation.”
After the loss to Buffalo, Evason expressed confidence that the Blue Jackets would recover, stating, “Our group has shown resilience all year.”
