The Columbus Blue Jackets will be busy to start the season as they play three games in the first four days to begin one of the most anticipated regular seasons in recent memory. These games test everything the Jackets have, due not only to the rapid succession of them but also due to the fact that all three games are against playoff teams from last season.
There is a lot to be excited about with this team, from the young up-and-coming players such as Cole Sillinger, Kent Johnson, and Yegor Chinakhov, to the most significant free agent addition in franchise history: Johnny Gaudreau. However, this team is still building toward perennial postseason contention and nobody knows how good they will be this season. Some in the national media are quite down on the Blue Jackets for this season, but most on the fifth line have hopes of at least competing for a playoff spot.
#CBJ WEEKLY REPORT: Blue Jackets kick off the 2022-23 season with three games in four days; Gaudreau, Gudbranson and Olivier set to make club debuts, and more.https://t.co/cNFlxXKwFr
— CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR) October 10, 2022
What the Jackets are made of should become quickly evident as they not only face three playoff teams in a row to start, but six of their first seven also made the playoffs in 2022. Among those teams are the Carolina Hurricanes who are considered by many to be legitimate Stanley cup contenders this season and the Tampa Bay Lightning who are the reigning eastern conference champions. They will also face the reigning Stanely Cup Champion Colorado Avalanche in back-to-back games, in the first month of play.
The offense and in particular, goal scoring was one of the biggest strengths of last year's team as they set a franchise record for the most goals scored in a single season. This year may be even better in that department as they added one of the best offensive weapons in the league in Johnny Gaudreau. Though they will be tested right off the bat as their season opener on Wednesday night is against the Carolina Hurricanes who let up the fewest goals in the NHL last season.
No matter how many wins the Blue Jackets end up with at the end, this season promises to be an exciting one.
