The Columbus Blue Jackets are making a serious push for a playoff spot in the 2025 NHL playoffs. They looked prime and ready after several years of on and off-ice issues and lackluster play during the season. This season, they have the motivation, and roster, to take a big step forward and they are showing resiliency in how they approach games. They question is do they have enough to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2019-20 season?
Blue Jackets hungry for playoff spot
The Blue Jackets are 16th in the league with 51 points on a 22-17-7 record. They have the third most wins at home with a record of 16-5-3 and are 7-2 -1 in their last 10 games. Their 155 goals scored are the sixth most in the league.
Who is leading the charge offensively? For the first time in years, Columbus has depth scoring. They are led by defenseman Zach Werenski, who has 15 goals and 36 assists for 51 points and is possibly the front runner for the Norris Trophy for the best defenseman in the league. Forward Kirill Marchenko is second on the team with 18 goals and 31 assists for 49 points, a career-high. Marchenko leads the team in plus-minus with a +28.
Young stars Kent Johnson and Adam Fantilli have combined for 23 goals and 26 assists for 49 points and are starting to show their full potential. They round out a good solid young core that is driving this team forward. Johnson and Fantilli were drafted high for a reason, their immense potential to grab this team and lead them into the playoffs.
The goaltending has been solid this season. Starter Elvis Merzlikins has a record of 16-10-3 with a 3.05 goals against-average and a .890 save percentage with one shutout. Netminder Jet Greaves has been effective in limited action. He has posted a 2-1-2 record but has a team-best 2.98 goals against-average and a .906 save percentage.
The Blue Jackets are not an elite team by any means. However, if they get into the playoffs this season they could surprise some people. They have pieces at all positions to make a run, with both veterans and young players stepping up to the plate. Columbus is a team that works hard from the opening face-off to the last whistle. This team does not quit and is willing to outwork the opposition. Most nights they are over matched but their work ethic is off the charts. Keep an eye on this team in the second half of the season. They could also be players in the upcoming trade deadline.