Last night's Blue Jackets game was easily one of the most frustrating in the history of this franchise. That may sound like hyperbole, but when you consider all of the facts, I don't think I'm stretching the importance too far. Lets run through those facts.
Having lost three games in a row while only scoring four goals, the team had a chance to hit the road on a positive note. They hosted a Philadelphia Flyers team that had been in the news for all of the wrong reasons. Their fanbase is calling for the coach's head, and some are even calling for a new GM.
The Jackets, in a season many have called the most important in franchise history, needed to step on this team's throat and bury them. This matchup was between two teams at the bottom of the conference, and the home team seemingly had all of the advantages.
So, after jumping out to an early 2-0 lead, yes, the expectation is that the Blue Jackets should have coasted to an easy win last night. Of course, we expect the Flyers to have some pushes. Maybe even make it a game. But, what cannot happen is three straight goals against before the game was even halfway over. Uh-oh...
They started strong.
Dmitri Voronkov got the Jackets on the board just 3:19 into the game. He helped Adam Fantilli win the faceoff, then found open space on the left side. As Valeri Nichushkin's shot missed the net, he was in perfect position to bang home the rebound and open the scoring, netting his first of the year.
Exactly one minute later, the Flyers did something we usually only see this Blue Jackets team do. They turned the puck over, and gave up their blue line far too easily on the ensuing rush. Matthew Knies took advantage of the time and space, curling to the high slot and firing home his second goal in as many games.
Still, despite the hot start, I had some worries. In fact, I said as much on Twitter/X after the first period:
We'll see if that hot start was for real or not. They definitely slowed down as the period went on.
— Union and Blue (@UnionAndBlue) November 15, 2026
Philly was backing off of the blue line early. Once they stopped doing that, it was pretty even the rest of the way. #CBJ
I wasn't surprised when the Flyers got one back. I doubt many were. With just under 4 minutes remaining, the Blue Jackets inexplicably left Trevor Zegras all alone in the slot, and he made no mistake when the puck came his way, quickly firing it behind Jet Greaves.
I also doubt many people were surprised when the Flyers turned the tables and took over early in the second period. Matvei Michkov picked Adam Fantilli's pocket at his own blue line, then beat everyone down the ice and undressed Greaves to make it a 2-2 game.
Just over one minute later, Denver Barkey gave them their first lead with a power-play goal. You know the story. Guy takes an ugly hit, teammate comes in to defend him (I actually loved this from Dante Fabbro), but the team wilts under the ensuing penalty kill. Soft coverage, poor goaltending. You name it. So much for sticking up for your teammates and gutting out the kill.
If you're keeping track, that was three Flyers goals in 6:15 of game time. Reminder: this team came into last night scoring just over 2 goals per game. They would get 4 last night, something they've only achieved three times so far this year.
The good news is, Fantilli made up for his ugly turnover by scoring his first goal in seven games-since the last time he face the Flyers. Again, they were soft at their own blue line and opened up space for Mo to walk in and score the goal.
But that would be it for their offense on this night. It seems that, unless the other team makes egregious errors, the Blue Jackets cannot generate any offense. They need help to do it, and when the other team makes it hard, they simply revert to the old dump and chase. Or, as I call it, the dump and lose. Because that's what happens. You lose the puck, and usually the game.
That describes most of the next 35 minutes of CBJ hockey, in case you were hoping to skip out on the replay. The Flyers adjusted and made it difficult, and simply waited for the Blue Jackets to make a mistake so they could score the winner.
Spoiler alert: that's exactly what happened.
Damon Severson tried a cross-corner pass as the entire team flew the zone ahead of him. Rather than taking the easy pass to the near side, he looked to send a long pass sailing through three Flyers. They picked it off, and of course, scored on the ensuing 3-on-1 break.
That's Blue Jackets hockey, baby!
The Jackets now sit dead last in the Eastern Conference by both points and points percentage. They're on pace for roughly 66 points, after finishing last season with 92 and still missing the playoffs. Reminder: they play two extra games this year. Yikes.
Nowhere to go but up, I suppose. I can't imagine it getting much worse than this team right now.
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