The Columbus Blue Jackets' 2024-25 NHL season was marked by resilience and notable progress, narrowly missing the playoffs for a fifth straight year. Entering the season as +15,000 longshots, the Jackets improved significantly, finishing with a 40-33-9 record and 89 points, just two shy of a playoff berth. This turnaround was fueled by emerging talents and a strong emotional resolve following the tragic loss of star winger Johnny Gaudreau before the season. Under new head coach Dean Evason and GM Don Waddell, the team enhanced its performance by 13 wins from the previous year.

On the ice, the Jackets showcased a dynamic attack, led by Zach Werenski and Kirill Marchenko. Despite their offensive prowess, defensive shortcomings persisted, ranking 25th in goals allowed, which proved critical in their playoff aspirations. As they look ahead to the 2025-26 season, the team is well-positioned with ample draft picks and cap space to build on their progress, aiming for a return to the postseason in the near future.

In a thrilling matchup, Kirill Marchenko's hat trick propelled the Columbus Blue Jackets to an impressive 8-4 victory against the Nashville Predators. This win not only showcased Marchenko's scoring prowess, bringing his season total to 31 goals, but also marked the Blue Jackets' resurgence in the playoff race, bolstering their chances of securing a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

The Blue Jackets scored first, breaking a nine-game streak of conceding the opening goal, and demonstrated their offensive depth, with contributions from Sean Monahan and Adam Fantilli, both of whom notched two goals apiece. The team is now looking to reclaim playoff positioning, currently sitting just outside the wild-card spots, aided by a recent uptick in their performance against weaker opponents.

The Columbus Blue Jackets faced a tough overtime loss against the Florida Panthers, marking their fifth consecutive defeat. Kirill Marchenko's misplay led to a critical penalty that allowed Aleksander Barkov to score the winning goal, leaving the Blue Jackets hanging on the edge of playoff contention.

Despite the loss, the Blue Jackets managed to earn a point, keeping them in the hunt for the playoffs amidst a tightly contested Eastern Conference. Their recent string of misfortunes includes a bizarre bounce that resulted in a goal against the New Jersey Devils earlier in the week.

Elvis Merzlikins, returning after time away for the birth of his child, stepped up with 27 saves, showing resilience despite the team's struggles. Meanwhile, rookie Adam Fantilli’s hustle to recover from a turnover shows the team's commitment to fighting for every point. However, their offense remains inconsistent, with the Jackets struggling to find the back of the net.

The Columbus Blue Jackets defeated the Dallas Stars 6-4, ending the Stars' three-game winning streak. Kirill Marchenko shined for Columbus, scoring two goals, while Ivan Provorov contributed with a goal and an assist. Adam Fantilli sealed the game with an empty-net goal.

The Stars fought hard and made commendable efforts, with Jason Robertson notching a goal and an assist, alongside scores from Jamie Benn, Roope Hintz, and Mavrik Bourque. However, despite their late push to narrow the gap, they couldn't overcome the Blue Jackets' early lead and relentless energy. The key moment came when Marchenko scored just 30 seconds into the game, establishing an early advantage for Columbus.

Boone Jenner, captain of the Columbus Blue Jackets, is set to make his season debut after a four-month recovery from shoulder surgery. His return coincides with the upcoming Stadium Series outdoor game against Detroit on March 1. Alongside him, Kirill Marchenko has also been activated from injured reserve following his recovery from jaw surgery. However, the team faces setbacks with Kevin Labanc and Owen Sillinger both sidelined for the season due to injuries. Despite a challenging season and injury woes, Columbus remains in playoff contention, sitting just one point out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with 26 games to play.