Blue Jackets Believe Defense Is Trending Right – Hockey Writers – Columbus Blue Jackets

One of the biggest stories coming into the new season for the Columbus Blue Jackets was how they were going to slow down their goals against. If they were going to have a chance to field someone this season from a competitive standpoint, this had to be the point of emphasis.

There are only five games left in the new season. But there is some reason for optimism even though the numbers don't bear it out yet.

The Blue Jackets have allowed 18 goals in their first five games in 2024-25. Giving up 3.60 goals per game doesn't usually reflect a good team.

With a new coach and the implementation of a new system, a learning curve was expected. That curve may have been exacerbated by several key injuries to the team. However, the Blue Jackets like the direction the defense is trending.

Players React

Aside from Saturday's game against the Minnesota Wild, the Blue Jackets felt good about their progress on the defensive end. Not that the numbers prove it yet. It's a process of getting better with each passing game.

Zach Werenski says it starts in neutral and goes from there.

“I actually think we've been through the first four games, we've been pretty good defensively,” Werenski said. “It is one of the things where the team is protected. It starts from a neutral point. It starts from the forehead. It starts with a background check. And I thought the first four games we were very good defensively as a team. I just think that if we continue with the process that we've played in the first five games, the first four games, I think we'll start to see better results. We didn't give up too much.”

“We were really strong I think in the neutral zone and our spaces and our foreskin and our whole game. I think that's where our mindset needs to be is to continue to do what we did in those first four games.”

Adam Fantilli puts up his 2nd rebound of the season #CBJ2-goal lead, 3-1, 12:18 in the 2nd.

Zach Werenski (0-2-2) picks up the first save and has now collected a team-high 4th outing of the campaign.

— CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR) October 18, 2024

At the Blue Jackets, there is belief in what they do. They have seen positives in their meetings and hope to continue to build on that.

“We talk about it. We watch a video on it. I hate to say it. We could have been 4-0 to start the year,” said Werenski. “That's just how hockey is. To continue to have that belief and common sense that if we play that way, we will get results at some point. “

You May Love It Again

Forward Mathieu Olivier echoes Werenski's sentiments about the love they saw at first sight.

“I think we're definitely headed in the right direction,” Olivier said. “I think the building is beautiful. I think we play to our strengths, which is our speed and our ability as a team. I think they are clear about what they want, that black and white in our programs is as big as a hockey player.”

“It's weird to say, but you want to be able to almost predict as a teammate but also as a team about what you're going to do because the less time you think about what you have to do on the ice, the easier it is. it's also something we can quickly play with which is what we're aiming for here. We are headed in that direction where we are very direct, very aggressive. We don't think twice. It's very black and white that we have to do and I'm all for it.”

Evason Responds

Coach Evason liked the first four games. But like the players, he didn't like the game against the Wild. For him, he takes the defensive aspect of the game a step further.

“I will be more specific about that. Is it true, we like the way we have protected ourselves. We like our team's commitment to defense,” said Evason. “But if our D doesn't produce like the last game (against the Wild), we didn't have the momentum we had in the previous games. So our D will drive most of our play defensively. “

“(In the) National Hockey League, you need a defense to participate to try to score goals in this league. It's very good. The goalkeepers are very good. Our ID will play a major role in our entire framework throughout our game. “

So far, despite only having a 2-3 record heading into Tuesday night's game, the Blue Jackets are seeing improvement. They out average their competitors. They have not allowed more than four goals in one game. It's a start. They will face perhaps their toughest test of the new season against the Toronto Maple Leafs. That should give a good measure of their defensive progress.

The Bottom Line

Defense should have been a priority in fixing the Blue Jackets. So far, they are showing signs. It may be slow progress but it is progress nonetheless.

The Blue Jackets go far north with the puck. They make quick decisions. Their system is simple enough that they can play immediately.

Eventually, the results will come. It may not be tomorrow or next week or even two months from now. But the more they study Evason's system and use it, the better off they will be.

Players like early progress. They see the process in action and are more accepting of it with each passing day. In the eye test, the Blue Jackets showed signs of looking different than the past few seasons. That's as good a start as they could hope for.