COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — The Columbus Blue Jackets are set to return to home ice for the first time this season as they welcome the New Jersey Devils to Nationwide Arena for their home opener Monday night.
The Blue Jackets have split their first two games on the road, and now look to capitalize on their home advantage.
Festivities kick off at 3:30 p.m. with a party on the Front Street Plaza, followed by the much-anticipated Blue Carpet Walk from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., when fans can see players arrive and potentially get autographs.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with the puck set to drop at 7 p.m.
Historically, the Blue Jackets have struggled in home openers, with a record of eight wins, 12 losses, three overtime losses, and one tie.
Their last home opener victory was in 2021.
Last season, the team narrowly missed the playoffs by two points despite a strong finish that included a six-game winning streak late in the season.
Under first-year coach Dean Evason, the team showed significant improvement, winning 40 games and averaging more than three goals per game, ranking eighth in the league last year.
Evason praised the team’s offseason preparation, saying, “The testing has been phenomenal as far as our strength training and doing the right things in the summer to prepare.”
With young talents like Adam Fantilli, Kirill Marchenko, and Kent Johnson making strides, and a healthy season from star defenseman Zach Werenski, the Blue Jackets could be poised for another leap forward.