Blue Jackets' Turnaround: Bowness' Defense Leads Playoff Push

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Nine weeks ago, the Columbus Blue Jackets were struggling in last place in the Eastern

Conference with a 19-win, 19-loss, and 7 overtime record through 45 games.

On January 12th, General Manager Don Waddell made a bold move by firing Coach Dean Everson

and bringing in 70-year-old Rick Bownes, who had retired over a year and a half earlier

after strong seasons with the Winnipeg Jets.

Bownes jumped right in, and the team responded with a stunning 17-win, two-loss, and four

overtime records since his arrival.

Good for the.

Second best mark in the league over that span.

They tied a franchise record with 10 wins in January, racking up 21 points that month

alone.

Fans and analysts have been buzzing about the turnaround, as the Blue Jackets climbed

from seven points out of a playoff spot to third place in the Barris.

Metropolitan Division.

The change came after a tough previous year marked by the tragic loss of forward Johnny

Gaudreau, where Everson had nearly guided them into the playoffs anyway.

Under Bownes, the focus shifted to a tight defensive system that cut shots against per game

and boosted their ranking in that category.

Goli's Elvis Merzikins and Jekgrius have thrived, while Defenseman Zach Warensky leads

all blue liners with 60 points and 19 goals.

Putting him in the Norse trophy conversation, and four Charlie Coil has added nine goals

since mid-January.

With momentum building, the Blue Jackets now eye a deep playoff run if they can sustain

this defensive edge and star power through the stretch.