Blue Jackets: Riding the Wave of Enjoyment at Season’s Halfway Mark

Dean Evason does not peruse articles like this one. The head coach of the Blue Jackets avoids social media, and there’s no standings chart in the CBJ coaches’ room that outlines where Columbus stands each day.

Evason prefers to concentrate solely on his squad, but even he recognizes that this Blue Jackets team might be embarking on something remarkable.

Expected to finish last in the Metropolitan Division and foreseen to miss the postseason for the fifth consecutive year by nearly every analyst in the NHL, the Blue Jackets have reached the midpoint of their season amidst the fierce battle for playoff spots in the Eastern Conference.

Following last night’s historic victory in Pittsburgh, their first since 2015, the Blue Jackets share the final wild card position with the Penguins and are firmly positioned to play significant hockey in the latter part of the season.

“The players understand that we’re in it,” Evason stated. “They realize we’re in contention. More importantly, they recognize that every night when they enter the dressing room for a game, we have a chance to triumph. We have a chance to win on every occasion.

“That’s what I find thrilling for the group. It energizes them. We have a long road ahead, too, but it’s encouraging to have that reinforcement.”

There is plenty of hockey left to play and numerous teams in contention right now, and the Blue Jackets will need to adapt and be prepared for increasing intensity as the games grow increasingly critical.

However, this is also a squad that has cultivated a quiet assuredness and a resilience that has enabled them to recover from every obstacle they face. From the onset of the season, they have believed they deserve to be in this position, and nothing that transpired in the first half has changed their perspective.

How They’ve Arrived

Any conversation about how the Blue Jackets have clawed their way into contention must commence with a few players who have emerged as elite performers on a consistent basis.

Zach Werenski is a two-time All-Star, but he has positioned himself as a contender for the Norris Trophy this year with an outstanding season where he is on track to challenge the team’s single-season scoring record. Kirill Marchenko is right there alongside him, as in his third year, he has progressed from a goal scorer into one of the most all-around players in the league.

Other young talents such as the red-hot Dmitri Voronkov along with Kent Johnson, Cole Sillinger, Adam Fantilli, and Denton Mateychuk have displayed some of their finest hockey at the NHL level and still have room for improvement, and they have been aided by an essential group of veterans who are performing well while guiding those players.

No one has been more vital in this aspect than Sean Monahan, the free-agent signing who has helped elevate the Blue Jackets’ top line into one of the best in the NHL while also providing essential leadership both on and off the ice. Including such veterans as Jack Johnson, James van Riemsdyk, Zach Aston-Reese, and Kevin Labanc – all acquired this offseason – the Blue Jackets have a well-rounded mix of emerging talent and seasoned experience.

“We’re gaining experience, and that’s enormous,” Olivier mentioned. “I believe people often underestimate that. Especially with teams that are supposedly rebuilding, there’s a lot of noise around draft picks and prospects and all that, but experience remains extremely crucial. We observe it with players like Monny who came in and completely transformed our first line.

“We’re still lacking (injured leaders Boone Jenner and Erik Gudbranson), but those players have significantly stabilized the young, unrefined talent we possess on this team. Most players have progressed this year in various ways, and those are the individuals who will assist in ensuring that this becomes a regular occurrence each night for these guys.”

On the rink, the team’s most significant strength has been an offense that has filled the nets, with Columbus ranking sixth in the NHL in scoring through 41 games. The Blue Jackets are third in the league for 5-on-5 goals, and their power play has made significant strides this season to sit 10th in the NHL. Columbus has also established one of the finest home records in the league with a 13-5-3 tally in Nationwide Arena.

On the contrary, the team’s defensive stats and road performance need attention. The Blue Jackets are ranked 31st in the NHL for scoring defense, a result of a 5-on-5 defense that has shown improvement but still permits too many chances – the Jackets are 27th in expected goals allowed per 60 minutes according to MoneyPuck.com – a penalty kill that stands at 28th in the league, and inconsistent goaltending. Meanwhile, their 5-12-3 road record must improve in the second half for the team to be genuine contenders.

One must also commend the team’s new coaching staff, as Evason has solidified the team’s systems but perhaps more importantly, has motivated the right elements in the locker room.

“It’s very straightforward what we need to achieve,” Olivier noted. “The motto we consistently revert to is, ‘This is earned, not given,’ this year, and to their credit, every decision (the coaches) have made this year and whatever message is delivered, it’s always tied to that.

“As players, you understand what to expect. You know that if you’re not putting forth your best effort or if you’re having an off night, you will be held responsible, and that motivates more consistent performances from everyone.”

Keeping It Enjoyable

One aspect Evason has stressed at various points throughout the season is the importance of the team having enjoyment. Whether it’s a shootout drill at the conclusion of practice, a team-building activity during travels, or simply the players dining together, the head coach desires his team to find joy daily.

After all, this is the NHL, and you’re engaging in a game for a living. What could be better than that?

“How could you possibly not have fun playing hockey in the NHL?” Evason remarked. “If you’re not enjoying playing hockey in the NHL, then there’s genuinely something wrong with you. You keep going until they inform you (that) you cannot anymore, right? So yes, I hope the guys are having a blast.”

Of course, there’s an old saying in sports that the way to spell fun is simple – W-I-N. It’s not complicated that the Blue Jackets are experiencing more enjoyment this year winning games than in the previous seasons when they were out of the hunt by New Year’s Day, creating a bit of a chicken or the egg situation.

“Winning is undoubtedly a lot more enjoyable than losing,” Evason acknowledged. “When you win, the fun amplifies. But I believe it stems from the team aspect of it, and the chemistry that is being cultivated. The way they have united as a group, they support each other. They enjoy it. Then in the locker room and on the ice, that fosters the group’s chemistry, providing a better opportunity for success.”

Indeed, Evason has reiterated multiple times that when he accepted the role to lead the Blue Jackets, external observers informed him that his chief responsibility would be to alter what many perceived as a losing culture.

However, upon his arrival, Evason was taken aback by how closely bonded the Blue Jackets locker room was.

“I believe the majority of the players enjoy being at the rink and desire to be around each other, which, in my opinion, contributes to great teams and great success,” Werenski noted. “I sense we have that this year, so it’s been a pleasure coming here and witnessing everyone being themselves, doing their thing, and approaching the game in a way that’s working right now.”

The task is far from completed, though, as playoff appearances aren’t granted through 41 games. The Blue Jackets enter the second half of the season with the ability to play significant hockey, and it’s an opportunity they intend to seize.

“It’s fantastic,” Fantilli stated when asked about being in contention. “That’s what we’ve been striving for all year, something we were confident we would achieve at the beginning of this season. We don’t want to settle for merely being tied in that position. We aim to leap into those (playoff) spots and make a push for the playoffs this year.”