The preseason means nothing.

At least, that’s what the Blue Jackets are hoping after dropping their preseason finale to the Washington Capitals 2-1 on Oct. 4 at Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C. The loss was the third straight for the Jackets, who lost five of their last six exhibition games to go 2-5-0.

Declan Chisholm and former Blue Jackets center Pierre-Luc Dubois scored goals in the second period to put the Capitals up 2-0 and goalie Logan Thompson made the lead stand up. Dubois’ goal became the winner after Mathieu Olivier scored the lone Blue Jackets goal late in the third on a 6-on-4 power play with the Columbus net empty.

Elvis Merzlikins (20 saves) started in net for the Blue Jackets, who didn’t dress Zach Werenski and Sean Monahan, their top defenseman and center. Columbus outshot Washington 30-22 overall and 10-3 in the second period, but the Jackets’ defense broke down in the middle period to create two scoring chances that led to shots Merzlikins couldn’t stop.

The Blue Jackets’ next game will be their season-opener Sept. 9 at the Nashville Predators.

Here are three takeaways:

Columbus Blue Jackets struggle offensively without Werenski, Monahan

Jake Christiansen, who has battled to retain his spot as the Blue Jackets’ seventh-and-final defenseman, played in Werenski’s spot atop the defense pairings. Dmitry Voronkov filled Monahan’s center spot on the first line with Yegor Chinakhov and Kirill Marchenko on the wings. 

It was a great opportunity for Christiansen and Chinakhov to build a case as potential lineup regulars, while Voronkov got a chance to play a top six center role that he hasn’t been asked to do since former coach Pascal Vincent’s lone season in 2023-24. 

None capitalized on the brief chance to play an increased role, though. All finished with -1 plus/minus ratings and none of the three contributed offensively.  

That’s a bigger problem for Chinakhov than the other two. After requesting a trade this past summer, he appears to be an NHL depth option up front who could start the season as a healthy scratch. Voronkov’s spot at left wing on the top line is secure, while Christiansen is expected to provide depth as a reserve. 

Columbus Blue Jackets haven’t determined goalie for opener

After practice Oct. 3 at Nationwide Arena, Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason said the goaltending competition for the upcoming opener in Nashville has yet to be decided. Merzlikins and Jet Greaves each got the same amount of preseason action, and both had a chance to stake their claims. 

Both had up-and-down moments, including each taking losses to the Capitals in the final two games. Greaves allowed four goals on 23 shots in a 4-3 loss Sept. 30 in Columbus, while Merzlikins allowed two goals on 22 shots in the finale. 

Greaves had some tough luck on a couple of the goals he allowed to the Capitals and Merzlikins was beaten cleanly with wrist shots from high-danger areas of the ice, including Dubois’ goal off a 2-on-1 rush. Evason’s plan is to use his goalies as a tandem this season, especially with 15 back-to-backs in a schedule packed with games before and after the NHL’s break in February for the Winter Olympics. 

Merzlikins is expected to compete for Latvia in that competition, but his short-term focus is playing for the Blue Jackets. He bristled early in camp at the suggestion that Greaves could win the No. 1 job to start the season, but it’s a race that could go down to the wire before the Blue Jackets’ first game. 

Columbus Blue Jackets’ young centers struggle in preseason finale

How important is Sean Monahan to the top of the Blue Jackets’ forward lineup? 

Well, they only won 40% of the draws against Washington and his replacement on the first line, Voronkov, went just 1 for 6 (17%). Adam Fantilli, who centers the second line heading into his third NHL season, won only 29% of his faceoffs (5 for 17) to make the Blue Jackets’ top two centers a combined 6 for 23 (26%). 

Veterans Charlie Coyle (7 for 12) and Isac Lundestrom (6 for 12) went a combined 13 for 24 (54%) while centering the third and fourth lines respectively. Captain Boone Jenner, who has extensive experience playing center, took just one draw and won it while playing on Fantilli’s wing. 

Winning faceoffs is something young centers often struggle to do, which is why teams with veterans down the middle of their lineup tend to possess the puck more off draws. Monahan is one of the NHL’s best at winning faceoffs, and Jenner’s winning percentage on draws is right up there when playing center. 

It’s something that’s worth monitoring this season, especially if Monahan and/or Jenner need to miss extended time due to injuries. 

Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com and @BrianHedger.bsky.social