The Columbus Blue Jackets are on a great stretch since the hiring of head coach Rick Bowness, and have now played themselves right back into contention in the Eastern Conference playoff race, with a 6-1-0 record under their new bench boss.
One of the biggest factors is the massive additions of Mason Marchment and Erik Gudbranson returning from injury, and they have allowed this new look Blue Jackets team to mold into the defensive structure and play style that Bowness has been made famous for employing.
So, how do these additions and play style give the Blue Jackets any sort of edge in this playoff race? Well, the ability for them to play in a structure also allows certain players to shine, though their individual skill sets are no greater than the sum of their parts.
One of the major benefactors from that, and a player who has received a ton of league-wide spotlight since his Blue Jackets debut, is Marchment. He has scored goals at will, has been an offensive superstar, and has had more success than anyone else in these forward lines.
However, right now the biggest difference is experience; something not many of these young Blue Jackets playmakers have just quite yet.
Veterans Leading By Example
Though he is not a captain or alternate captain, Charlie Coyle has been a massive difference-maker for the Blue Jackets this season. He is having his best season in quite some time and truly earning his way into consideration for the Selke Trophy, per Mark Scheig of The Hockey Writers.
On top of that, Marchment is playing the best hockey of his career now in Columbus. Both of these two guys have experienced playoff success, and have been in meaningful games late in the season.
This team feels like it has the perfect group to lead as well, because most of their top players are young, and haven’t seen the playoffs just quite yet.
#CBJ coach Rick Bowness held a chat today with his top line — Mason Marchment, Kirill Marchenko and Adam Fantilli. Bowness: “I want them to become one of the top lines in the league.”
To Bowness, that means being able to play against all matchups, with and without the puck. pic.twitter.com/bQGqjTH3bX
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) January 27, 2026
The biggest thing for Bowness and his leadership group will be how they blend young skill with veteran leadership. I think they have nailed it so far.
With Marchment on the top line, Boone Jenner on the second line, and Coyle heading up the third line, they are spreading out that leadership, and it has helped Bowness hold everyone accountable much more effectively.
Those guys understand defensive responsibilities and have been super effective at both ends of the ice, and that is a key factor in the Blue Jackets’ turnaround of late. However, they also understand when they need a goal and who needs the puck on their stick.
Offense Has Shown Patience
As we just saw recently in the Blue Jackets’ 8-5 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, the offense has been able to score in bunches, and we have also seen they can go cold and struggle to find the back of the net at points, too.
How can that be turned around? Well, this Blue Jackets team is averaging 3.83 goals per game under Bowness. Before that, under former coach Dean Evason, they averaged 3.00 goals per game in the first 45 games this season. Clearly, the change is working.
Team Finishing – January 25 pic.twitter.com/U7O2nPw6LE
— JFresh (@JFreshHockey) January 25, 2026
However, they are still falling behind league average in terms of goals scored above average. You can see the turnaround coming, though, and I think that shows the patience with this team not trying to force offense when it is not there.
The Blue Jackets are well within striking distance now in the playoff race, just six points out of a playoff spot, and the offensive revival has been a big factor. However, they cannot try to force their hand when it is not there, which is something we have seen a lot of on past Blue Jackets teams, now disappear under Bowness.
Related: Bowness Back on the Bench Where He Belongs
Veteran leadership, a coach who has been there before with over four decades of coaching experience, and young budding stars who want to prove their preseason expectations of being a playoff team right away, are three massive reasons why this Blue Jackets team can get it done.
Not to mention, they have a guy who is playing as if the Norris Trophy belongs to him, in Zach Werenski. With these factors, the Blue Jackets have a lot of momentum that gives them the edge over quite a few teams in the mix for the Eastern Conference playoff race.
