Despite losing Laine and Gaudreau as top scorers, the fast-rising Blue Jackets have impressed GM Don Waddell with a offensive firepower.
On Dec. 18, the Blue Jackets ranked 26th in the NHL standings and trailed a wild-card spot by five points. After dropping eight of their last nine games, the playoffs seemed increasingly out of reach. They have gone 9-3 ever since.
The Blue Jackets (21-17-6) have won five straight and play the San Jose Sharks at Nationwide Arena on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; FDSNOH, NBCSCA). They will host the Detroit Red Wings in the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series at Ohio Stadium on March 1 (6 p.m. ET; ESPN, TVAS-D, SN360).
Blue Jackets forward Sean Monahan is on IR with an upper-body injury. He has had a great season in his first year with the team.
In the Blue Jackets' electrifying 3-2 win vs. the Flyers, the biggest story of the night was the quietest player in the dressing room.
Blue Jacket retain Aston-Reese for one more year at $775,000 after claiming him off waivers from the Golden Knights in the preseason.