The 2020-21 Columbus Blue Jackets are looking to be a team that could compete for a playoff spot, even in the highly contested Metropolitan division. Even after losing to the 2019-20 Stanley Cup champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning, in the first round, the Blue Jackets are heading full steam ahead into next season with high hopes. They’re not just going to make the playoffs, but go deep and have a shot at the Stanley Cup.
The 2020-21 Columbus Blue Jackets Will Go Deep in the Playoffs
Every team has four main factors that influence their gameplay – the offence, defence, goaltending, and coaching. The Blue Jackets have strengths in all of those areas.
Offence
Most analysts criticize the Blue Jackets for having a weak offence, and it is true that it’s the weakest part of their team. However, they have the potential to make waves. Led by Pierre-Luc Dubois, Columbus’ offence is more deadly than it may seem. At only 22, Dubois is proving to be a key offensive piece, and he doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. He’s been a consistent 50+ point player, and is poised to have another fantastic season ahead of him. They also picked up two big leaders in free agency: Mikko Koivu and Max Domi. Koivu will not produce much offence, but will serve as a veteran presence to help guide the younger players. And after acquiring Domi for virtually nothing, the Blue Jackets now have a second-line centerman capable of getting 20 goals and 50 points consistently.
The Jackets’ defencemen are also eager to jump into the rush and pounce on scoring opportunities. Zach Werenski is top five in goals, assists, and points on the entire team, and Seth Jones is not far behind. Columbus’ offence is not one of the most deadly in the league, but it is enough to score goals in big situations and stay close in games.
Defence
This is the strength of the Blue Jackets. Their defense is regarded as top three in the league by many fans and analysts, and they have the numbers to back it up. They gave up the third-fewest goals last season, had 25 less goals scored against them than the league average, and let up seven less goals than expected over the season. Their top defensive pairing of Werenski and Jones is the best in the league. They’re a special duo that can shut down explosive opponents and create, as well as finish, scoring opportunities. The rest of their defensemen are also capable of controlling any high-powered team. Need proof? The Lightning scored the least amount of goals against the Blue Jackets out of their four opponents during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Overall, they have the sixth least shots against per game, and the third least goals allowed per game.
Another strength of the Blue Jackets’ defense is their shot blocking. This is a philosophical difference that comes from the coach. Many players are willing to get in the shooting lane and prevent the puck from ever reaching the goaltender. The Jackets have two skaters with well over 115 blocked shots, with more hovering around the 80 range. But it’s not just the ones that show up on the stat sheet. Columbus is excellent at putting their bodies and sticks in the shooting lane, preventing many shots from even occurring. It is obvious there is a discipline within Columbus that is just not found in other clubs.
Goaltending
The Blue Jackets’ goaltending duo shocked the hockey world with their incredible performance last season. Joonas Korpisalo put up an historic 88 save game in Game 1 against the Lightning, playing over 150 minutes. In Elvis Merzlikins‘ first ever NHL season, he saved about 12 goals above average with five shutouts, along with riding an eight game win streak. Aside from their memorable moments, the more impressive part about their gameplay was their consistency. Both ended with over a .910 save percentage through at least 30 starts, and both had over a .940 save percentage and below a 2.00 goals against average per game in the playoffs. Both goalies are 25 years old, and the future looks bright. They are have both proven they are capable of playing at least half of the season, if not the full duration of the 2020-21 season.
This is where the Blue Jackets’ strengths tie together. With strong goaltending and an even stronger defence, Columbus gives up extremely limited opportunities for their opponents to capitalize on. Most of their games have under four goals for both teams, which benefits the Blue Jackets. With limited offensive weapons, holding their opponents to few goals is how the Blue Jackets will succeed.
Coaching
John Tortorella is the heart and soul of the Blue Jackets. He was a Jack Adams Trophy finalist last season, and won it in the 2016-17 season. The Blue Jackets get their fighting spirit from him. He pushes them to be better and to perform to their highest potential, even when they are the underdogs. The Blue Jackets play a gritty, hard-working style of hockey that Tortorella promotes. This “defense wins championships” mentality comes from the top down, and the players love and embrace it. This style of hockey frustrates opponents and allows the Jackets to capitalize on their mistakes. Tortorella is known for pushing players to their max potentials, and while some may criticize his methods, he usually sees results. While the wins come from the players, Tortorella will be a major factor in motivating the 2020-21 Columbus Blue Jackets to wins they otherwise would have lost under an inferior coach.
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