The Columbus Blue Jackets aren't necessarily in the preseason mix for a playoff spot this season but that doesn't mean this club can't be more entertaining than how they've played in recent years.
If you like goal scoring, the Blue Jackets have provided plenty of that over the last few preseason games.
Following a 6-1 loss at the Buffalo Sabres on Sept. 23, in which the Sabres dressed a veteran-heavy lineup against a Blue Jackets squad mostly dressing prospects, the Jackets have gone 3-1 since then.
In their Nationwide Arena debut on Sept. 25, Elvis Merzlikins and the Blue Jackets shut out the St. Louis Blues 3-0. Then they overcame a late start to Friday's 8-4 win over the Washington Capitals as the start of the game was delayed for over 90 minutes due to travel and plane issues for Columbus. On Saturday, they won 6-3 over the Sabres and they lost 3-2 at home to the Capitals on Monday.
Dean Evason with a great quote about the #CBJ playing back to back with long travel day Friday:
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) September 29, 2024
"It's not that hard. They get a nap and they get a really great meal and they play hockey. It's awesome. The attitude that we want all of our guys (to have) -- what else would I want
Granted, you can't get too excited about high-scoring numbers in preseason as different clubs throw out different types of rosters and lineups depending on where they are in the preseason schedule and who they want to dress. But you certainly like to see some things stand out.
We talked about Kent Johnson's first game back from a torn labrum that ended his season last spring. He had two points with an assist on the first goal of the 3-0 win over the Blues and an empty-net goal. Johnson was among the very best players on the ice. He had two more assists in his second preseason game against Buffalo on Saturday.
Adam Fantilli struck for a hat trick over the Capitals and added a fourth goal on Saturday. Sean Monahan scored twice in his Blue Jackets debut on Saturday.
Among the focuses for head coach Dean Evason are the special teams.
"The penalty kill was great the other night against St. Louis with a really legit power play," Evason said after Saturday's game. "I think they're grasping the concepts I like. The communication from them to us, the questions they're asking are real good and they're buying in.
"It takes some time. We work on it every day that we're on the ice. And the power play looked good. We're trying to find some chemistry of where guys are going to fit because we've got a few places where a couple guys could be in those spots like net fronts and on the flanks.
"It's part of the process but as far as how it's progressing, we're happy with both of them."
An important piece to the special teams could be a player most wouldn't have pegged on a particular part of the special teams: Kent Johnson on the penalty kill.
"It's communication from all of us," Evason said. "Because I head up the neutral zone doesn't mean it's my neutral zone. Or one coach has a power play or a penalty kill. Our roles are defined as a coaching staff, same as we want our roles defined as a team.
"We go through each game and we go, 'Who's going to kill penalties?' And we put people in places and the door is open for them to take that role. We haven't defined anything. At the end of camp we'll define the player's role. Everybody's playing a little bit of everything right now.
"(Johnson) was exceptional a couple of nights ago on it and he's going to continue to get time on the PK for sure."
Johnson gained slight experience playing on the penalty kill at the University of Michigan and Juniors and cherishes the opportunity to do it in the NHL.
"I've always loved being on the PK," Johnson said. "When I was at Michigan I loved it and would always be trying to let coach get me out there more.
"It's fun. I love the PK. A lot of reads for me I think that I can do a decent job at if I know the offensive guys on the other end or what they want to do."
As Evason said day one of training camp and has maintained throughout camp, the team will define roles when they get to that point. If players don't like their position or roles, they can change it with their play.
With the Blue Jackets at the halfway point of their preseason, we'll see what kinds of storylines and line combos continue to bear itself out.
