With an 8-1-1 clip and seven-game home ice winning streak already in their back pocket (the latter a new franchise record), these Blue Jackets are on their way to gaining some respect. They've caught a few opponents by surprise by how fast and direct they play, and Nationwide Arena has become a difficult place for visiting teams to emerge with points.
Yes, it's early, but this group has an encouraging resilience and fortitude about it.
One of the instances that comes to mind is Matt Calvert's storybook night on Nov. 18 against the New York Rangers - a night that not many will soon forget.
Calvert left the game in the second period after a slap shot from Rangers defenseman Nick Holden hit him in the forehand, requiring 36 stitches to repair before even considering a return to the game. Once cleared by team medical personnel, Calvert made his way back to the bench in the third period and scored the game-winning goal a few minutes later.
"He's a warrior - we know that," Brandon Dubinsky said of Calvert. "He's a guy that guts it out and puts his body on the line for the team every night. You can't say enough good things. That's way sports are so fun, because you get to write great stories…it's awesome."