Jones turns sights forward after All-Star experience

For the first time in his career, Seth Jones now knows what it's like to play in an All-Star Game and not leave victorious.
Despite four points from Jones -- a goal and three assists -- the Metropolitan Division lost its opening game of the 3-on-3 tournament that completed All-Star weekend on Saturday night in St. Louis. The Atlantic Division earned a 9-5 victory over the Metro in a semifinal to advance to the championship game, which was won by the Pacific Division.

Still, it was a successful weekend for Jones, who was named this year to his fourth All-Star team and played in the game for the third time. He also completed in the hardest shot contest in Friday night's skills competition and joined Columbus' own Andrew "Nasher" Telfer in Saturday's inaugural All-Star Chel Gaming Challenge.

Now it's back to work for Jones -- after a short break, of course. The Blue Jackets will return to practice Thursday and then return to action with back-to-back afternoon games Saturday at Buffalo and Sunday at Montreal.
PHOTO GALLERY: Seth Jones at the All-Star Game](https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/photos/all-star-2020/g-314290716/p-314290744)
For a team currently holding the first wild card spot in the Eastern Conference that has points in 20 of the last 22 games, there will be a lot to play for as the team sprints to the finish.
"I think we're just taking it a day at a time for our team," Jones told media in St. Louis after the All-Star Game. "After the break we play a couple of games on the road against Buffalo and Montreal, so we're trying to stay afloat. We're in a wild card spot right now with 60 points in a tough division. There's nights off of course, and we have to be ready to play every night. I know the guys will be ready for the last 30 games."