In spite of the loss, the Blue Jackets showed structure and a stronger work ethic on opening night

Opening night for the Blue Jackets had its ups and downs. In general, the team played pretty well; showing structure and a stronger work ethic on both sides of the puck. Unfortunately, the Minnesota Wild were able to capitalize on one more chance, winning the game 3-2.

Last night's game was probably a fair preview for what we can expect from the Blue Jackets this season. We knew they were going to be a harder working group under Dean Evason. We also knew they would play with more structure. But, I think we all feared that scoring might be a tough ask out of this team, as constructed.

That was definitely the case in Minnesota. The Jackets swarmed the puck all night, controlling play for good portions of the game and out-shooting the Wild 33-26; including a 15-6 shot advantage in the second period. They just couldn't find that third goal.

Kent Johnson scored the first goal of the season for the good guys, just as many people predicted after a strong training camp and preseason. I don't think it's a stretch to say that Kent was the best player on the ice for either team last night. He was all over the ice, often with the puck on his stick. Even when he didn't have the puck, he was strong on the other side of it. This was a well-earned goal:

Kent wasn't the only player who stood out for me. Adam Fantilli definitely looks like a man on a mission, though his line seemed to be fighting the puck a little bit. At some point, I have to wonder when he and KJ will play together. Seems like an obvious duo to pair up for more offense, and I'm sure we'll get to see it this year.

Zach Werenski had a standout game as well. He was back to his "roving" style of defense, floating around the ice effortlessly and often finding the puck coming in his direction. He scored the team's only other goal, which made the game interesting late in the third period. A power-play tally, no less:

Defensively, I thought this looked like an entirely new Blue Jackets team. There are certainly some things to work on (as will always be the case when you lose), but they didn't look completely disjointed in their own end, aside from maybe the second Wild goal. Which wasn't all that surprising, considering the defense pair that was on the ice.

Jake Christiansen surprised me with his assertiveness and poise. At one point in the third period, he was caught in a 2-on-1 that he broke up because he simply rushed the puck carrier into a panicked turnover. No chance I'd take him out of the lineup after his play last night.

As a result of the improved defensive play, Elvis Merzlikins had a much easier night in goal. Really hard to fault him on any of the Wild scores: the first one being a screen, the messy coverage on the second one left him out to dry; and the third goal coming off of a tic-tac-toe passing play with the extra man.

It definitely wasn't the result we wanted, but overall I thought this looked like a team that is going to be much more competitive this year. If they play every game like they did last night, they'll win their fair share of games as the season goes on.