After another few days off, the Blue Jackets are back in action tonight, playing their final home game of the month. They host the Vegas Golden Knights, in a game that they absolutely need to win to reward their fans for another poor start before heading out on the road.
With 7 of their first 9 games at home to start the season, the Jackets have managed just 3 wins so far. Only one of those wins has come in regulation. As a result, they find themselves dead last in the Eastern Conference by both points (6) and points percentage (.375%).
They are just about to see their schedule start looking like a real NHL schedule, with no more than 2 days off over the next couple of weeks. In short, now is the time they have to start stringing together some wins. Or, at least, some good games in a row.
On the flip side, Vegas is once again one of the best teams in the NHL. They are off to an 8-4-0 start, good enough for second in the Western Conference. As usual, they have elite talent and depth at nearly every position. Lets take a look at three things the Jackets have to do to give themselves a chance against this juggernaut.
Execute.
This has been a big word for this team this week, and there isn't any hiding from it. The Jackets have played long stretches of several games already this year, where it seemed like they couldn't even complete a pass.
Tuesday night's game against Toronto was another one. Far too much "hot potato" with the puck (throwing a bad pass at a teammate who was not ready), and worse: turnovers. Their transitional game continues to get picked apart because of their inability to make simple passes.
Rick Bowness postgame: “Was the effort there? Yeah, it was. We worked very hard. It’s the execution. We couldn’t get any flow going to the game. That would be the biggest disappointment is the execution.” #CBJ
— Mark Scheig (@mark_scheig) October 19, 2026
In all three zones, the Jackets have to be better in that department. They don't have to be highlight reel saucer passes, or crazy backhand dishes through traffic. Just take the easy passes and move the puck quickly and efficiently. This is the NHL, and there is no excuse for them to not be able to do that.
Power up the power-play.
At practice this week, the coaching staff has made the power-play a point of emphasis. It took them three weeks to figure it out, but I suppose late is better than never.
The Jackets have not scored a power-play goal since opening night against the Buffalo Sabres, when they did it twice. Since then, they have a big 0 for 20 in the stat line. One area that Vegas has struggled this year is on the PK, where they rank 28th (67.9%). It would be nice to see the team in Union Blue pot a goal in this situation, to boost their confidence a little.
For the love of God, give us something to be proud of.
The worst thing about this team's start might be their inability-or unwillingness-to give us any reason to be proud. This is a city that has supported a loser for most of this franchise's 27 year existence. With this team, we haven't been given any real reason to back them so far.
This group is built to supposedly compete for a playoff spot by being the "Big Bad Blue Jackets". Only, when they start losing, they just quietly go into a shell.
Where is the emotion? Where is the sense of comradery? Where is the sense of pride in defending the home barn? Even if Vegas runs away with this game, I would love to see the Jackets give them a reason to remember this night for a negative reason.
I'm not talking about a "slash" from behind. Make them pay every time they touch the puck by planting them into the glass. Give them the old face wash at every whistle. Snow their goalie, I don't care. Just don't quietly let them blow this game open. Give us something to cheer for. Is that really too much to ask?
Puck drop is scheduled for 7:00 Eastern time from Nationwide Arena. Lets Go Jackets.
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