Welcome back to Blue Jackets News & Rumors. It’s been a minute. With the 4-Nations Faceoff, Stadium Series and NHL Trade Deadline all behind us, the focus now turns to the intense playoff race.
For the Blue Jackets, they enter play on Thursday in the second wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference with 70 points. They better not look back though. Four teams are within two points of them including Montreal just a single point out of the last playoff spot.
No one has to tell the Blue Jackets how big their game against the Vegas Golden Knights is. They have games in hand on the teams right behind them. A win could put some much needed separation between them and their competition.
We start today by talking about one of the balancing acts coach Dean Evason has had to do with his lineup.
Chinakhov Scratched
The Blue Jackets added to their ranks at the Trade Deadline when they acquired Christian Fischer off waivers from the Detroit Red Wings and Luke Kunin in a trade with the San Jose Sharks. Finding their spot in the lineup was one of the challenges for Evason.
But wait, there’s more. Evason also had to integrate Yegor Chinakhov back into the lineup coming off an injury. He played like someone who had been off the ice for sometime.
It was expected it would take some time for Chinakhov to get up to speed. But with games meaning so much, the Blue Jackets need to try to find bottom-six combinations that work without waiting for a player to catch up.
Evason confirmed that Chinakhov will be a healthy scratch. Here’s the coach on what went into that decision.
“I had a great talk with (Chinakhov) this morning and he hasn’t played for a few months, right? It’s hard for players when they sit out to not think that it’s negative. Of course, we want them to be pissed off that they’re not playing. But you have to use it in the right direction. And he’s committed to do that. We’re in a spot right now where we have some healthy bodies. So we’re gonna have to sit some people out. We want them to one, not disrupt the team. Two, get ready to play when you’re asked to get into the lineup. (The) same as every player that sits out. He’ll watch some stuff that we feel he needs to do to help us win hockey games and he’ll commit to that. And when he gets back in there, he’ll do it.”
“It’s like everybody’s moving and going and he hasn’t played for a while. He doesn’t know necessarily in games how we need to play. And that’s part of the teaching. He’s had a couple of games. He’ll have some video sessions and then practice. And I don’t know what’s gonna happen next game, but when he gets back in there, he’ll play the right way.”
At his best, Chinakhov plays with speed and confidence. That was missing in his couple games since the injury. He will be counted on as an important part of what the Blue Jackets hope to do in the coming weeks. That’s try to make the playoffs.
Fischer’s Debut
When a player like Chinakhov is scratched, it means opportunity for someone else. That someone else is Fischer. Evason confirmed he will make his Blue Jackets’ debut Thursday night.
For Evason, he believes Fischer fits into what they’re trying to do.
“We just believe he plays like we play,” Evason said. “He plays the game hard, plays the inside, finishes checks, plays right, great teammate. That’s all we’re asking. We’re asking everybody just to play the same way. the right way, how we play and give us a chance to win.”
Fischer plays an honest, in your face style of game. He says it’s right up his alley how the Blue Jackets like to play. Here’s what he said to expect from him on the ice.
“I like to play both sides of the puck. I really try to defend well. I think that’s the biggest thing being more of a role player bottom-six. You gotta win your little battles. I think there’s a lot of little things in the game, board plays, getting pucks on the blue line. Nothing too flashy. Don’t expect too many highlight reel goals but I play the game the right way.”
Christian Fischer will make his #CBJ debut tonight v. @GoldenKnights. He’ll play on a line with Sean Kuraly and Zach Aston-Reese. pic.twitter.com/zCybXVUinX
— Dave Maetzold (@DMaetzMedia) March 13, 2025
Fischer will play on the fourth line with Sean Kuraly at center and Zach Aston-Reese on the left wing.
Side Dishes
- Evason said that Erik Gudbranson is the closest to returning of the injured. He took part in the morning skate Thursday. The sense is once he deems himself ready, we’ll see him in the lineup.
- Sean Monahan and Cole Sillinger each skated in the Ice Haus Thursday. Monahan is still a couple of week away while Sillinger is more likely back sometime in early April. Still a good sign to see each of them skating.
- Caught up with both Jake Christiansen and Kent Johnson about their trip to the NHL offices in New York. Each had a fun time along with Adam Fantilli meeting with commissioner Gary Bettman. Christiansen said he didn’t have any pressing questions for the commissioner. As for Johnson, came away thinking the league was in good hands with Bettman at the helm. “His answers are so dialed in. It’s almost laughable for us to even think we should have an opinion. But it was really good.”
- Johnson believes the struggling power play is close. Here’s what he said about that: “I think we’re right there. It could happen tonight. I think the good things is we’re all just sticking together, talking in the room, trying to figure it out. I don’t think there’s anyone pointing the finger at each other which I think is huge because I think that can derail stuff. I feel like we’re in a good mentalized space going into the game. I feel confident so I think we can do it.”