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.

As of January 1, 2025, three players from the Columbus Blue Jackets are eligible to sign contract extensions after the signing of Zach Aston-Reese to a one-year deal. The remaining candidates are James van Riemsdyk, Kevin Labanc, and Jack Johnson, each presenting unique possibilities for the franchise.

At 35, van Riemsdyk may become a trade target if the Blue Jackets' hopes for a Wild Card spot dim, attracting interest from multiple playoff contenders. Conversely, should the team stay competitive, he might delay extension talks until the offseason.

Labanc, who joined the Jackets after a professional tryout with the New Jersey Devils, has integrated well as a bottom-six forward and may be poised for an extension soon.

On the other hand, 38-year-old Jack Johnson is at the tail end of his career and could be traded regardless of the Blue Jackets' playoff status, potentially to a contending team like the Colorado Avalanche, to enhance his chances of winning the Stanley Cup.

Connor McMichael netted two goals while Alex Ovechkin added his 859th career goal and two assists, leading the Washington Capitals to a commanding 7-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

With this win, the Capitals improved to 8-2 on the season, showcasing a powerful offense that scored five goals in the first period. Ovechkin is now just 36 goals shy of Wayne Gretzky’s record and is on pace to hit 895 goals this season.

In a poignant matchup, the Columbus Blue Jackets fell 4-3 to the Florida Panthers, despite a shorthanded goal from Cole Sillinger and contributions from Sean Monahan and James van Riemsdyk. The night was marked by an emotional tribute to Johnny Gaudreau, with fans visibly affected by the remembrance.

Although the Jackets rallied late in the game, Spencer Knight's goaltending secured the Panthers' victory. The atmosphere in Nationwide Arena was charged with emotion, emphasizing the significance of the night beyond the scoreline.