The Columbus Blue Jackets are surprisingly in playoff contention, led by standout defenseman Zach Werenski, who has surpassed expectations this season. General Manager Don Waddell admits he did not foresee Werenski performing at this level, yet he has become a key player, accumulating 74 points in 75 games and positioning himself as a Norris Trophy contender.

Werenski's performance comes despite the team's struggles with injuries to key players like Boone Jenner and Erik Gudbranson. His dedication to health through offseason training has paid off, as he has managed to stay mostly injury-free this season. The emotional impact of losing Johnny Gaudreau has unified the team, creating a strong bond that has fueled their surprising success.

As the Blue Jackets push towards the playoffs, Werenski continues to assert himself as a top-tier defenseman, hoping to lead Columbus back to postseason glory.

The Columbus Blue Jackets faced a tough weekend with back-to-back shutouts against the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Ottawa Senators, marking their second goal drought of the season. Despite solid performances from their goaltending duo, the lack of offensive production has severely hampered their playoff aspirations, leaving them trailing the wild-card spots by a sizable margin.

With only six games remaining in the regular season, the Jackets are in desperate need of a scoring resurgence. Coach Dean Evason acknowledged the team’s struggle to generate consistent offense, describing the situation as a tough conundrum to explain. After allowing two quick goals to Ottawa, goalie Daniil Tarasov was pulled in a bid to spark a comeback, but the offensive woes continued as Elvis Merzlikins could not secure goals from the Jackets’ players.

The waiver wire is a crucial resource for fantasy managers as the NHL season begins to wind down, especially with the playoff chase intensifying. With teams like Minnesota Wild playing frequently on off nights, shrewd managers can bolster their rosters with viable streaming options. Key players to look at include Ryan Hartman and Frederick Gaudreau, who can provide valuable points during lighter schedule days. Conversely, teams like the New Jersey Devils and Toronto Maple Leafs have fewer games this week, making their fantasy assets less appealing.

Among potential pickups, Jonathan Drouin is returning to form with the Colorado Avalanche, posting impressive stats while skating alongside Nathan MacKinnon. Boone Jenner is also on a scoring streak for the Columbus Blue Jackets, proving his worth as a solid contributor. Adding active players like Matt Coronato from the Calgary Flames or Taylor Hall from the Hurricanes can make a decisive difference in your lineup's performance over the coming days.

The Columbus Blue Jackets faced a tough 3-2 loss against the Ottawa Senators, affecting their playoff standings. With 10 games left, they are in a tightly contested race for the last Eastern Conference wild card spot, with only three points separating them from the competition. The absence of defenseman Dante Fabbro, who recently contributed three points in a prior game, posed a significant challenge. Rookie Denton Mateychuk stepped up to play alongside Zach Werenski, who continues to impress with his ice time and performance, potentially positioning himself for a Norris Trophy nomination. Meanwhile, captain Boone Jenner is showing leadership by scoring in four consecutive games, crucial for the Jackets as they push for playoff contention.

In a crucial game for playoff positioning, the Ottawa Senators edged the Columbus Blue Jackets 3-2, pushing the Senators further into a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The Senators now hold an eight-point lead over the Blue Jackets, who continue to fight for their playoff lives. Drake Batherson shone for the Senators, scoring his 21st goal of the season by capitalizing on a rebound, while Ridley Greig opened the scoring. Boone Jenner tied it for Columbus, showcasing his scoring prowess with five goals in four games.

Linus Ullmark had a solid performance in goal for Ottawa, stopping 29 shots, while Columbus's rookie goalie Daniil Tarasov made 24 saves but couldn't prevent the loss. Both teams showed grit, with Columbus coming off a high-scoring win against the Vancouver Canucks, but the Senators proved too strong at home. As the playoff race heats up, both teams are set for critical matchups ahead, with Columbus looking to bounce back against the Nashville Predators.