Both the Jets and Blue Jackets are coming off losses. The Jets lost to the Dallas Stars 3-0 while the Blue Jackets played one of their worst offensive games in team history on Thursday in a 5-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. Each team is looking at Saturday as a chance to take a big step towards staying in their playoff races.<\/p>\n
Today in our Gameday News & Notes, Bowness revealed what he wants his team to learn. Then we caught up with Jets\u2019 forward Cole Perfetti to see where their vibes are and what their mindset is after a tough loss to the Stars. <\/p>\n
Blue Jackets Not Having Their \u201cA\u201d Game<\/p>\n
The Blue Jackets have gone through a stretch of games where they haven\u2019t consistently had their \u201cA\u201d game. Any team that wants to win and be successful has to be able to win under less than ideal circumstances.<\/p>\n
Bowness admitted that the Blue Jackets are still learning this concept. He elaborated on which areas the team is learning.<\/p>\n
\u201cIs to simplify the game,\u201d Bowness said. \u201cWhen you don\u2019t have your A game, don\u2019t be trying to make plays that you normally make when you know you\u2019re flying and you just keep it a little more simple. That\u2019s what they\u2019re still learning how to do.\u201d <\/p>\n
The Hurricanes held the Blue Jackets\u2019 to a franchise low 10 shots on goal Thursday. Every time the Blue Jackets tried to make a play, the Hurricanes not only had an answer, but they were also quickly counterattacking. Bowness saw some things that he didn\u2019t like.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going out to the blue line a couple times, there\u2019s nowhere to go, but we\u2019re still trying to make plays. And now we\u2019re playing a three-quarter ice game and they\u2019re coming right back at us. Those are the things they have to learn. They learn those harsh reminders and those are the harsh reminders. Now I got to back check, right? And so if I put it a little bit forward, now we\u2019re playing a 200-foot game. But if I\u2019m getting too easy at the blue line at the wrong time, now we\u2019re back checking.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you watch Carolina, their D get it. There\u2019s no play. It\u2019s out. They just flip it. They\u2019re not trying to force anything. It\u2019s off the boards and it\u2019s out. It\u2019s to the far blue line. And they\u2019re slashing guys. You can\u2019t always make a play in this league. It\u2019s too good. There\u2019s too much pressure on you because the league is so fast. So take what\u2019s there and that\u2019s what they have to learn. Don\u2019t give your troubles to someone else, right? He\u2019s covered. We got him. Here, you take it. He\u2019s not going to be able to do anything with it. Those are the things they\u2019ve got to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"Rick](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Rick-Bowness-1200x960.jpeg\")
Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness says his team has to learn that plays won\u2019t always be available. (Photo: Mark Scheig\/The Hockey Writers)<\/p>\n
In order for the Blue Jackets to turn their losing streak around and start winning again, they have to get back to basics. Make simple plays. Take what the opposition gives them. Don\u2019t force the issue. It will be important against a Jets\u2019 team that can turn mistakes into goals quickly.<\/p>\n
Perfetti on Jets\u2019 Mindset<\/p>\n
The Jets are on a 10-5-4 run since the Olympic Break. At one point, they were 11 points back of the final playoff spot in the West. Going into Saturday night, the Jets are just three points out.<\/p>\n
Perfetti likes the approach and attitude the Jets have shown.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s no quit in here,\u201d Perfetti said to the Hockey Writers. \u201cI think obviously we know where we stack up and where we are in the standings. We\u2019re not out of it. We\u2019re going to keep fighting and keep going every day. Every game is massive for us and we still control our own destiny. We\u2019re going to go out there every game and have the same mentality of fight for our lives. I think we\u2019ve shown that. Win or lose, I think we\u2019ve shown our effort\u2019s been there and we\u2019re not quitting.\u201d<\/p>\n
Like the Blue Jackets, the Jets have had moments of frustration this season. Due to injuries and other factors, the Jets struggled until the Olympic Break. They have been able to put the past behind them in order to give themselves a chance to make the playoffs.<\/p>\n
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For Perfetti, it\u2019s a simple approach that he and his team take.<\/p>\n
\u201cEvery day is a fresh start,\u201d Perfetti said. \u201cWe can learn from our prior games. We\u2019ve had some great games as of late and we\u2019ve had some games where it didn\u2019t go our way. It\u2019s just not getting too high or too low, just learning from the good and bad and seeing what we can do better everyday. At the end of the day, it\u2019s moving onwards and moving towards the next game. Once this is over, put this in the rear view mirror and move on to the next game.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Blue Jackets had better be ready for a desperate Jets\u2019 team. With Connor Hellebuyck expected to start, it will be the latest tough game the Blue Jackets have to find a way to win on home ice.<\/p>\n
Side Dishes<\/p>\n
The Blue Jackets will start Jet Greaves against the Jets. As for the lineup, Bowness said there were game-time decisions. Mason Marchment is one of those. He participated in the morning skate in line rushes and on the power play. All indications point to him being able to play. As for Isac Lundestrom, he is also a game-time decision but did not participate in the morning skate. He took a puck on Thursday in Carolina that clearly got him in a vulnerable spot. He is not expected to play. <\/p>\n
If Marchment plays and Lundestrom does not, expect Zach Aston-Reese to play for Kent Johnson and Jake Christiansen to come in for Egor Zamula. But check back at warmups for official confirmation.<\/p>\n
Former Blue Jackets\u2019 head coach Scott Arniel is back at Nationwide Arena behind the Jets\u2019 bench. He\u2019s been able to help his team be in position playing meaningful games. \u201cUntil we get that checkmark that says we\u2019re out of it, we\u2019re going to battle right to the end. We just came out of the Olympic Break. We just decided we weren\u2019t happy what happened prior to the Olympics. We couldn\u2019t do nothing about it. Now it\u2019s making sure that every chance, you have an opportunity to win hockey games, to continue to put pressure on the other teams that you\u2019re in the battle with and that are above you. That\u2019s what we\u2019ve done.\u201d<\/p>\n
Former Blue Jacket Gus Nyquist, who still lives in suburban Columbus, is a game-time decision according to Arniel. He is healthy but did skate with the extras at the morning skate. He is not expected to play against his former team Saturday night.<\/p>\n
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