COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — CBJ general manager Don Waddell wanted to spark some momentum with the coaching change before the NHL Olympic Break, and the new bench boss has delivered.
The Blue Jackets have won eight games since Rick Bowness was hired to replace Dean Evason, and the team has won nine of its last ten games to jump from last place in the Metro to fourth.
Bones has revitalized the team in multiple areas, but improving the defense and the number of goals given up has been a priority. “The goals against has come down and it starts with that,” Bowness said. “That’s total commitment. The goal-tending has been solid. Power play has chipping in when we needed to chip in. .. We’re playing pretty solid hockey.”
The Blue Jackets have the opportunity to earn four points to make a push for third place in their division with two games left before the NHL Olympic Break.
“In my mind, we’re still a work in progress, and we are, but we’ll keep getting better,” Bowness said. “It doesn’t mean we’re going to win every game, but there are certain areas that we’re going to keep addressing until we get it to where, well, I like what I see… but for the most part, we’re hard to play against.”
The Jackets are on the road Tuesday against the New Jersey Devils and then return home against the Blackhawks on Wednesday.
The team may be without forward Kirill Marchenko for Tuesday’s game. He was absent from Monday’s practice due to illness. Bowness said other guys on the team have been battling this illness, and he may keep Marchenko home to “end this as quickly as we can.”