Blue Jackets Trying Different Looks and a Simplified Approach to Fix Last-Place Power Play
The Columbus Blue Jackets power play came out like a house of fire on opening night. They scored two power-play goals on route to a 6-3 win over the Buffalo…
Blue Jackets
Latest news and updates about the Blue Jackets
NHL Rumor Roundup: More Speculation About Travis Konecny, The Latest On The Blue Jackets
Trade rumors continue to swirl around Travis Konecny despite the Philadelphia Flyers' recent improvement, while the Columbus Blue Jackets' early-season struggles could resurrect some of the trade speculation that dogged them during the off-season.
The Flyers may have finally fixed their broken power play
The Philadelphia Flyers' power play finally shows life, posting a 30% conversion rate over the last three games after a win over Buffalo highlighted by Cole Knuble’s first two NHL goals. Young talent—Trevor Zegras, Matvei Michkov, Jamie Drysdale, Tyson Foerster, Porter Martone, Denver Barkey and David Jiricek—now shoulder 18+ minutes each, driving crisp, quick entries and smarter passing. While the team sits 26th overall at 13.9% this season, recent 5‑for‑20 (25%) bursts suggest a turnaround, with underlying metrics placing them near the league’s top ten in shot volume and expected goals on the man advantage. If this trend holds, the power play could become a key factor in the Flyers’ push for a wildcard spot.
Brandon Duhaime plans to keep ‘snowballing’ off of good efforts with linemates after impressive performance vs. Rangers
The Toronto Maple Leafs extend their winning streak to three games with a 5-4 victory over the New York Rangers, propelled by a hot fourth line. Brandon Duhaime, Teddy Blueger and Zack MacEwen combined for seven points — the first of the season for each after signing on July 1 — and Duhaime says the unit will keep “snowballing” as chemistry builds. Their play complements Toronto’s top-ranked penalty kill and helped secure a 6‑4‑2 record through 12 games. Duhaime also praised Troy Stecher’s game‑winner and his hard‑nosed style.
Jim Hiller dubs win over Rangers Maple Leafs’ ‘best game’ of 2026
The Toronto Maple Leafs are feeling it. After beating the Columbus Blue Jackets on the road, 6-2, on Tuesday, the Leafs returned home and took down the New York Rangers on Thursday at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto. The Maple Leafs are now on a three-game winning streak, and just had the best game of their […] The post Jim Hiller dubs win over Rangers Maple Leafs’ ‘best game’ of 2026 appeared first on ClutchPoints .
Maple Leafs to place Marshall Rifai on IR, week-to-week with lower-body injury
Toronto defenceman Marshall Rifai (28) is placed on injured reserve and listed week‑to‑week after a lower‑body injury suffered during Tuesday’s win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, where he notched his first NHL goal. Nick Blankenburg steps into Rifai’s spot on the third pairing with Oliver Ekman‑Larsson, while Chris Tanev remains on IR and Jake McCabe returns from stitches. With the Leafs heading into a four‑game road trip on a three‑game skid, the club may call up top AHL prospect Ben Danford. Morgan Rielly says the roster is adapting amid the injury influx.
What’s behind ex-Canuck Conor Garland’s struggles in Columbus?
Ex‑Canuck winger Conor Garland’s $36 million, six‑year deal has sputtered in Columbus, with zero points in eight games after five goals and two assists in the final 21 games of the 2025‑26 season. Analyst Mark Scheig blames inconsistent role assignments—shifting between top‑six, power play and fourth‑line duties—as the Blue Jackets struggle to define his place. The team sits dead last in the Metropolitan at 3‑5, plagued by a league‑worst power play and second‑period collapses despite decent 5‑on‑5 play. Coach Rick Bowness has softened his criticism, but the roster still can’t unlock Garland’s “Swiss Army knife” potential before his no‑move clause expires in 2029‑30.
Maple Leafs News & Rumours: Nylander, Matthews, OEL, Cowan, McKenna & Stecher
The Toronto Maple Leafs had one of those nights when their offensive talent was difficult to ignore. In a 6-2 road win over the Columbus Blue Jackets, Toronto showed what…
Is Rick Bowness being too harsh on Blue Jackets too early?
The veteran coach is starting to get on his players after a sluggish start to the 2026-27 season.
NHL rumors: Pierre LeBrun names Blue Jackets forward as trade candidate
The Columbus Blue Jackets have struggled to start the 2026-27 season, winning just three of eight games and sitting dead last in the Eastern Conference in the early going. And while Kirill Marchenko has thrived with the Maple Leafs, recording 11 points in 11 games in Toronto, Matthew Knies has managed just four points in […] The post NHL rumors: Pierre LeBrun names Blue Jackets forward as trade candidate appeared first on ClutchPoints .
Leafs’ Jake McCabe doesn’t fault Blue Jackets’ Kent Johnson for errant high-stick: ‘It’s an accident’
Maple Leafs defenseman Jake McCabe says he feels fine after leaving the Oct. 22 game against the Columbus Blue Jackets with an upper‑body injury caused by a high‑stick from Kent Johnson, who received a four‑minute double‑minor. The Leafs were up 5‑1 when McCabe exited, and he missed the rest of the contest but expects to return for Thursday’s matchup with the New York Rangers. McCabe notes Johnson’s stick was an accident, thanks the team medical staff, and praises rookie defenseman Marshall Rifai for stepping up amid other Leafs injuries.
Former head coach Dean Evason on Kirill Marchenko: ‘When he’s at his best, he gets after it’
Former NHL coach Dean Evason praises Toronto’s early‑season resurgence, noting the Leafs sit 5‑4‑2 after back‑to‑back wins over San Jose and Columbus and now boast the league’s top penalty kill (97.4%) and a 27.5% power play. He highlights recent additions—Colton Sissons, Brandon Duhaime, Vinni Lettieri, Jack Roslovic—and lauds Kirill Marchenko, who posts 11 points in 11 games and adds a new threat on the power play. Evason says Marchenko’s biggest flaw is waiting for the puck, but when “at his best he gets after it.” Confident the Leafs can clinch a playoff spot in the competitive Atlantic, Evason sees a different, winning feeling in Toronto.
Maple Leafs finally met the moment in Kirill Marchenko’s return to Columbus
The Toronto Maple Leafs finally rose to the occasion on Oct. 22, 2026, defeating the Columbus Blue Jackets in a game that carried extra weight after the recent blockbuster trade that sent Matthew Knies to Columbus and brought Kirill Marchenko to Toronto. Marchenko’s first return to his old arena sparked strong emotions from both clubs, and the Leafs honored the moment with a convincing win, showing they can back a new teammate in high‑stakes matchups. The victory, highlighted by coach Craig Berube’s decision to start Anthony Stolarz, signals a shift in Toronto’s approach to emotionally charged regular‑season games.
“I’m Out of Patience With It”: Rick Bowness Warns Blue Jackets on Ice Time
The Columbus Blue Jackets appeared to have all the ingredients Tuesday night to win a big game against the Toronto Maple Leafs. They wanted to win for Matthew Knies. They…
NHL Rumors: Scouting TOR-SJ and COL-PHI, Bruins, and the Jets
Everyone's waiting in Winnipeg for a Connor Hellebuyck decision this Friday and beyond. The Boston Bruins are close to extending Marat Khusnutdinov.
Dean Evason praises Leafs’ supporting cast, shares honest take on Marchenko: Leafs Morning Take
The Leafs dominate Columbus 6-2, turning a shaky start into a statement win. Auston Matthews adds a goal and an assist, reaching eight goals and 18 points in 11 games, while Easton Cowan nets his first career shorthored goal and posts a three‑point night. Defense steps up despite Jake McCabe exiting after a facial stick injury; Troy Stecher logs 26:25 of ice time and Morgan Rielly is solid. Toronto’s special teams shine, going 6‑for‑6 on the power play and improving the league‑best kill to 37‑for‑38. Dean Evason joins the podcast to praise the supporting cast, dissect Kirill Marchenko’s return, and weigh the recent Matthew Knies trade, highlighting the team’s depth and future outlook.
Kirill Marchenko gets last laugh in return to Columbus
Marchenko had a goal in his first game against his former team, helping the Leafs beat the Blue Jackets 6-2.
3 Takeaways From Blue Jackets’ 6-2 Loss To Maple Leafs
The Columbus Blue Jackets have had a common theme running through many of their losses to open the season so far, a rough second period. That second period bit them…
Blue Jackets Must Question Everything On Ice to End Slump
“It’s just stuff we need to figure out right now. Stuff we should have figured out weeks ago.” Those were the words of an upset Charlie Coyle on Tuesday night…
The Hockey News Morning Skate: Maple Leafs' Cowan Shines, Rantanen's Hat Trick Heroics, And More
In this edition of The Hockey News Morning Skate, Eric Cruikshank and Michael Traikos break down Easton Cowan's impressive effort against the Columbus Blue Jackets, Mikko Rantanen's hat trick against the Boston Bruins, and more.
Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller raves about Easton Cowan: ‘He’s exceeded my expectations’
Coach Jim Hiller praises 21‑year‑old winger Easton Cowan after the Maple Leafs' 6‑2 win over Columbus on Oct. 21, 2026. Cowan netted his first shorthanded goal and tallied three points, becoming a regular penalty killer and aiming for a 76‑point season. Hiller highlights Cowan’s physical and mental growth, saying he’s exceeded expectations and will be a key part of Toronto’s core alongside Gavin McKenna. The Leafs next host the New York Rangers Thursday.
Maple Leafs' Jake McCabe Injured Vs. Blue Jackets
Defenceman Jake McCabe exits the Toronto Maple Leafs’ Oct. 21 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets after a high‑stick from Kent Johnson cracks his visor. The hit, a late first‑period incident, draws a four‑minute double minor on the Blue Jackets, but McCabe does not return for the second period. Already missing Chris Tanev, Toronto now faces a significant blueline setback; McCabe has logged over 20 minutes per game in his first 10 outings without a point and is on a $4.1 M AAV five‑year deal. The team hopes he’ll be cleared before Thursday’s home game against the New York Rangers.
5 takeaways from Leafs-Blue Jackets: Marchenko outduels Knies, Matthews, Cowan lead commanding win
The Maple Leafs dominate the Blue Jackets 6-2 on Tuesday, delivering their best performance of the young season. Auston Matthews celebrates his 700th game, adds a goal and an assist and sits second in league scoring (7‑2‑18). Kirill Marchenko, despite boos, scores the opening goal and outplays Matthew Knies in their head‑to‑head matchup. Easton Cowan records a goal and two assists, putting him on a 76‑point pace, while rookie Marshall Rifai nets his first NHL goal. Goaltender Anthony Stolarz makes 35 saves as Toronto’s offense erupts in the second period.
Blue Jackets’ Rick Bowness drops unreal reaction to blowout Maple Leafs loss
The Columbus Blue Jackets took on the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night. Columbus had a bit of motivation, as this was Kirill Marchenko’s first game against the Blue Jackets following his trade to the Maple Leafs before the season started. Despite the motivation, Rick Bowness watched his team come out quite flat. The Maple […] The post Blue Jackets’ Rick Bowness drops unreal reaction to blowout Maple Leafs loss appeared first on ClutchPoints .
Game Review: Maple Leafs’ rush offense roars to life, Easton Cowan shines, Morgan Rielly turns back the clock in blowout win over Columbus
The Toronto Maple Leafs finally unleash a dominant rush attack in a 7‑2 blowout of the Columbus Blue Jackets, snapping a puzzling early‑season trend of low offensive zone possession. Rookie Easton Cowan sparks the surge with a goal and two assists, while veteran Morgan Rielly delivers a classic two‑way performance, logging over 25 minutes and steering the power play. The review highlights the team's speed, skill, and finishing flair that now translates into a +5 goal differential after just 10 games.
Displaying items 51-75 of 1115 in total