Union and Blue
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After just two preseason games, a team identity for the Blue Jackets is becoming clearer

As surprising as this may be, the Columbus Blue Jackets still have two weeks of preseason work to complete and 47 players still at camp. Despite it still being early, the club has already shown clear signs of the type of game that head coach Dean Evason will have them play in 2024-2025.
ByMike Stump|
Feb 23, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Kent Johnson (91) avoids the check of Buffalo Sabres center Peyton Krebs (19) during the third period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images
Feb 23, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Kent Johnson (91) avoids the check of Buffalo Sabres center Peyton Krebs (19) during the third period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images | Russell LaBounty-Imagn Images
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Dean Evason's changes to aggressiveness and D-Zone pressure are seeing good initial initial returns.

Dean Evason
Columbus Blue Jackets Media Day Luncheon | Jason Mowry/GettyImages

Per Natural Stat Trick, the Jackets expected goals against last night were around 2.50. Per MoneyPuck.com, the Jackets' average xGA in the 2023-2024 season was 3.53, which was second to last in the NHL (San Jose).

What I saw personally was that the CBJ did a much better job of eliminating shots from the slot and circles and instead kept much of the Blues' offensive possessions around the boards. When St. Louis attempted to bring the puck into high-danger zones, there was either a man in the way of the pass or a skater attempting to cover up the shooting lane with a shot block or screen of the shooter.

Dean Evason speaks much about his goals to see the team be tough to play against and play smartly and aggressively. As a casual observer, I see that his system looks to have a night and day difference from the one the Jackets have played under their two most recent head coaches.

I'm confident in saying at this point that we will most likely not see the CBJ among the bottom two teams in shots against in this upcoming campaign.

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