{"id":543951,"date":"2026-04-06T15:56:17","date_gmt":"2026-04-06T15:56:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/543951\/"},"modified":"2026-04-06T15:56:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-06T15:56:17","slug":"safe-hockey-has-taken-away-the-ability-for-the-blue-jackets-to-score-goals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/543951\/","title":{"rendered":"Safe hockey has taken away the ability for the Blue Jackets to score goals"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Columbus Blue Jackets have lost 7 of their last 8 games<\/a>-including the last 6 in a row. In that span, they have scored just 13 goals. Today, we’re going to talk about why their offense has dried up.<\/p>\n

In the last 8 games, the team scored 3 goals on 2 occasions. In those two games, they were 1-0-1, earning their 3 only points of that stretch. It’s true that they have struggled to defend at times. And yes, their goaltending has struggled here and there. <\/p>\n

But, captain obvious has to speak up here: no matter how good you are at keeping pucks out of your net; you have to score to win games. It usually takes 3 goals. Right now, the Blue Jackets aren’t doing that. In fact, at times, they seem to be actively avoiding it. <\/p>\n

I’m going to say something that many people will disagree with: this team has enough talent to score goals and win hockey games. Though, I would argue that putting Kent Johnson into a scoring role<\/a> might help. I don’t think that’s the main problem here. This is not a lack of skill situation.<\/p>\n

If safe is death, the Blue Jackets are dying a slow and painful one.<\/p>\n

I’m going to paint a picture that we have seen way too many times lately. It goes like this: the Blue Jackets have a shift in their defensive zone. They bend, but do not break, and get the clear. This is where they are starting to have issues. It’s starting in their own end, with their breakout.<\/p>\n

Either they are simply flipping the puck out to center ice to get a partial change; or they are chipping pucks past the opposition’s defense and getting full changes. Or, worse, taking icing calls, making their shifts a little longer.<\/p>\n

On the odd occasion that they are skating the puck out, they don’t even seem remotely interested in trying to score. They only seem concerned about getting off the ice, or staying above the puck in a defensive posture. Even when they are losing. <\/p>\n

This tweet sums up what I’m seeing:<\/p>\n

Sure, dump the puck into the corner with a 4 on 2 rush. Why not. #CBJ<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Union and Blue (@UnionAndBlue) March 31, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

That play happened near the end of the first period of their 5-2 loss to Carolina last week. They were down 2-0 at that point. The question I have here: what good is shooting the puck into the corner doing on that play? They weren’t even heading off for a line change. <\/p>\n

Bonus points if you can nail the culprit. I’ll give you a hint: he’s the one player who has been playing inside this team’s top-two lines that does not fit there.<\/a> I’ll also venture to guess that Kent Johnson would have carried the puck in on that play and created something, but we will never know.<\/p>\n

For the last couple of seasons, this team has lived and breathed thanks to their rush offense. But that rush offense is completely gone right now, and their game-plan for in-zone offense is obsolete.<\/p>\n

This is 2026, and the Blue Jackets continue to try dump & chase hockey. It’s honestly insane. It’s even worse when you watch them and realize that chase is only a suggestive term. More often than not, they simply turn the puck over to the other team, and sit back while they come at them.<\/p>\n

Two guys had it, but nobody was interested in helping.<\/p>\n

In Saturday’s loss to Winnipeg, it seemed like the team only had two forwards going offensively: Adam Fantilli and Cole Sillinger. How many times did we see them gain the blue line and look up for help, only to see nothing but white jerseys?<\/p>\n

It was quite a few, and it wasn’t because the Jets were doing anything special. And it was frustrating, because the Jackets were either changing lines, or simply hanging back and waiting for the game to come to them. That’s the brand of hockey that cost Dean Evason his job. <\/p>\n

In short, safe hockey is killing this team right now. They need to take timely risks for offense, or their two-month stretch of being one of the best teams in hockey will be nothing but a distant memory. Unfortunately, it might already be too late. <\/p>\n