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Columbus Blue Jackets struggle against scorching Winnipeg Jets: 3 takeaways

This wasn’t the kind of six-goal night people have gotten used to seeing this season at Nationwide Arena.

Rather than scoring goals in bunches themselves, the Blue Jackets (5-4-1) were the receiving end of a 6-2 final score Friday night against the Winnipeg Jets (10-1-0). Just like the aftermath of two matchups against the Jets last season, this one left a mark.

“We just didn’t play smart,” Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski said. “We had too many turnovers, and I didn’t think we were sharp in the (defensive) zone. It kind of felt like we almost handed it to them tonight, didn’t make them earn it. Obviously, it’s a skilled team. They don’t give you much, but I think we could’ve been a little better, just in terms of making it harder on them.”

Here are three takeaways:

Winnipeg Jets give Columbus Blue Jackets new lesson in aggressive style

Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Dean Eavson scratches his neck with a paper during the third period at Nationwide Arena on November 1, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.
Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Dean Eavson scratches his neck with a paper during the third period at Nationwide Arena on November 1, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.

What happened to the Blue Jackets on their own ice wasn’t something new or even all that unexpected by those who’ve watched them play the past three years.

The Jets are bigger, faster and have even more skill than an upstart Jackets team showed during an impressive 5-3-1 start coming into this game. They forced the issue inside the Columbus zone from start to finish, displaying a style of hockey the Blue Jackets utilized a few times in their own blowout victories.

“We never had our forecheck going, not all night,” Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason said. “There was no pressure, no sustained heat for us in all three zones, but especially in the offensive zone.”

Columbus Blue Jackets assistant coach Scott Ford talks into his watch during the third period at Nationwide Arena on November 1, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.
Columbus Blue Jackets assistant coach Scott Ford talks into his watch during the third period at Nationwide Arena on November 1, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.

The way the Jets play is exactly how the Blue Jackets strive to play, featuring a relentless push that’s backed by smart plays to pressure opposing players into making mistakes.

This was the latest example of the Jets using that format to hammer the Blue Jackets, after pounding them in a two-game series sweep last season led to Winnipeg winning by a combined 11-1 margin. The goal for the Jackets now is figuring out how to turn that around against “heavy” skilled teams like the Jets, who have a lot of NHL impact talent at their disposal.

“That team put heat on us to make the mistakes,” Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason said. “If we didn’t put pucks on our backhand and make some passes through the middle of the ice and soft plays ... that allowed them to get more touches in the offensive zone and gain confidence that they’ve already got to have success tonight.”

Dmitri Voronkov gives Columbus Blue Jackets coaching staff depth

In his first of the season Columbus Blue Jackets game, left winger Dmitri Voronkov (10) plays during the game against Winnipeg during the first period at Nationwide Arena on November 1, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. Around his is Winnipeg Jets defenseman Colin Miller (6) and Winnipeg Jets defenseman Logan Stanley (64).
In his first of the season Columbus Blue Jackets game, left winger Dmitri Voronkov (10) plays during the game against Winnipeg during the first period at Nationwide Arena on November 1, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. Around his is Winnipeg Jets defenseman Colin Miller (6) and Winnipeg Jets defenseman Logan Stanley (64).

Getting Dmitri Voronkov back into the lineup against Winnipeg was an early surprise after he sustained a left shoulder injury in the Jackets’ penultimate game of the preseason. It's going to take a couple games to get him back up to speed after a lengthy absence, as evidenced by a -3 plus/minus rating in 13:24 against the Jets, but getting him back into the should provide a boost eventually.

Standing 6 foot 5, 227 pounds, the Russian power forward was a nice addition for coach Dean Evason and his staff to mix into the lineup against another opponent with a “heavy” lineup. Voronkov brings soft hands to go with his size and strength, and he demonstrated a nose for scoring as a rookie with 18 goals.

His return, however, signaled another positive development for the Blue Jackets. They’re back to carrying 13 healthy forwards with a long road trip on the horizon, which gives the coaching staff more options when constructing line combinations. Voronkov, for instance, bumped Kevin Labanc despite the veteran winger’s five assists in seven games and impressive performance Wednesday in the Jackets’ 2-0 victory over the New York Islanders.

Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Kevin Labanc (62) skates during the third period of the NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. The Blue Jackets won 6-1.
Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Kevin Labanc (62) skates during the third period of the NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. The Blue Jackets won 6-1.

Evason spoke with Labanc prior to the Jackets’ optional morning skate Friday to break the news that he was the odd man out.

“It’s difficult to talk to a player and say, ‘You played your best game, but guess what, you’re not playing tonight,’” Evason said. “It’s tough, but you do it face-to-face, you do it honestly, straight forward, and give him the opportunity to voice his opinion of why he didn't think he should come out. You listen and then hopefully make an educated decision as we move forward.”

Evason said Labanc wasn’t thrilled, but that’s exactly what coaches hope to see from players in that situation.

“You want guys to be (upset) they’re not playing, and he is, which is great,” Evason said. “Hopefully, we have these tough decisions moving forward and we make the right ones.”

Columbus Blue Jackets’ favorable schedule flips vs Washington Capitals

Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Kuraly (7) and Columbus Blue Jackets left wing James van Riemsdyk (21) talk during the second period at Nationwide Arena on November 1, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio during the game against the Winnipeg Jets.
Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Kuraly (7) and Columbus Blue Jackets left wing James van Riemsdyk (21) talk during the second period at Nationwide Arena on November 1, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio during the game against the Winnipeg Jets.

One of the biggest storylines in the first month of the Jackets’ season was how often they faced teams at home on the second half of back-to-back games.

Six of their first nine games, including five at Nationwide Arena, were played under that scenario and it likely played a role in their impressive 5-3-1 start. Saturday in Washington, it’s the Blue Jackets’ turn to wear it on the second leg of a back-to-back and this one’s ugly. The game has a 5 p.m. start time at Capital One Arena and the Washington Capitals will be fresh after not playing Friday night. That’s just how things roll in NHL scheduling, which typically works out evenly after 82 games.

“We talked already in the (locker) room that we’re excited about getting right back at it,” Evason said. “You pick your heads up and we’ve got a 5 o’clock game. Quick bite to eat, quick rest and away we go again. We can correct the mistakes that happened in this hockey game. If they don’t happen (in Washington), we’ll give ourselves a chance.”

The Capitals are 7-2-0 and sitting in second place of the Metropolitan Division, so it’s also a key clash for the Blue Jackets within their own division. Coming off Friday’s tough matchup against Winnipeg, it will be interesting to see how their legs respond in the nation’s capital.

bhedger@dispatch.com

@BrianHedger

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets stumble against Winnipeg Jets: 3 takeaways