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What a difference a few weeks can make. The Columbus Blue Jackets were lagging in last place in the Metro Conference, so much so that Dean Evason was relieved of his duties. Enter Rick Bowness and a team surge that has seen the Blue Jackets go 10-1 under Bowness and climb up to fourth place.
The Blue Jackets are playing some of their best hockey and certainly their best hockey of the season. Bowness has improved the defense, penalty kill, and goals against, which has been one of the keys. The other: the team is getting scoring all over the lineup.
Under Dean Evason, the Blue Jackets goals against were 3.38; under Bowness, it has improved to 2.67. The team is playing very well defensively, and the goalies are reaping the benefits. With Bowness on the bench, Elvis Merzlikins has a .910 save percentage.
Another key component of the recent success is that the team has paid close attention to details and stuck with the game plan. No matter who the opponent has been, the plan stays the same and has been a recipe for success.
The defensive improvement has shown more with each passing game. No longer is the unit playing on its toes, but they are more physical and limiting high chances, while the offense has come alive with a more physical style as well.
The Blue Jackets are starting to look the part of a playoff team. There is still a lot of work to be done as they have not played perfect hockey but they have overcome lapses and mental mistakes while sticking to the game plan, and they are willing to wait until the opponent either buckles or makes a mistake.
With the prolonged Olympic break, the to-do list is contract extensions with pending UFAs as well as extensions for players like Adam Fantilli. Given the recent play, Columbus should be a buyer at the trade deadline, and there will be meetings held to assess best fits.
The break will also let players heal and be ready to come back and make a playoff push, which would officially end a long rebuild.