Blue Jackets eliminated, special teams among reasons

The Columbus Blue Jackets failed to make the Stanley Cup Playoffs for the second straight season.

Columbus (35-33-6) was eliminated from contention when the Washington Capitals defeated the Montreal Canadiens 8-4 on Saturday.
The Blue Jackets qualified for the playoffs in four consecutive seasons from 2017-20. They won the first playoff series in their history in 2019 before falling to the Boston Bruins in six games in the second round.
In 2020, Columbus defeated the Toronto Maple Leafs in five games in the Stanley Cup Qualifiers but lost in five games to the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round.
Here is a look at what happened in the 2021-22 season for the Blue Jackets and why things could be better next season.

The skinny

Potential unrestricted free agents: Joonas Korpisalo, G; Dean Kukan, D; Brendan Gaunce, F; J-F Berube, G; Nathan Gerbe, F
Potential restricted free agents: Patrik Laine, F; Jack Roslovic, F; Emil Bemstrom, F; Adam Boqvist, D, Gabriel Carlsson, D; Nick Blankenburg, D
Potential 2022 Draft picks: Seven

What went wrong

Defensive woes: The Blue Jackets will set a team record for most goals allowed in a single season. They have given up 272 in 74 games, four fewer than the 276 they allowed in 82 games in 2005-06, and their goalies have combined for a .900 save percentage. Columbus has allowed at least four goals in 40 games this season.
Tough two months: The Blue Jackets were 12-6-0 and fourth in the Metropolitan Division on Nov. 26. However, they went 6-15-1 in their next 22 games through Jan. 26, when they allowed 4.14 goals per game, converted at 10.0 percent on the power play and were outshot by an average of 36.1-28.2. Although Columbus won nine of its following 11 to get back into the playoff race, it had fallen too far in that two-month stretch.
Special teams: The Blue Jackets have struggled on the power play and penalty kill this season. They are tied for 24th in the NHL on the man-advantage at 17.0 percent, going 34-for-195 (fourth-fewest opportunities) with six shorthanded goals against. They are 19th on the penalty kill at 78.6 percent.

Reasons for optimism

Kent Johnson: The 19-year-old forward made his NHL debut in a 5-1 win against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday. Johnson signed a three-year, entry-level contract on April 8 after he had 37 points (eight goals, 29 assists) in 32 games as a sophomore for the University of Michigan. Johnson, who is expected to bring skill and flash to the lineup, can play center but will likely be a left wing until he adapts to the NHL.
Two first-round picks: Columbus has its own first-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft as well as the Chicago Blackhawks' selection provided it's not the No. 1 or No. 2 pick. If the Blackhawks end up selecting first or second, the Blue Jackets will get their first-round pick in the 2023 NHL Draft as part of the conditions of the trade that sent defenseman Seth Jones to Chicago on July 23. If the Blue Jackets end up with both first-round picks, though, it will be interesting to see if they trade one of them to improve their roster immediately (they have a big need at defenseman). Columbus had three first-round picks in the 2021 NHL Draft and used them all, selecting Johnson at No. 5, forward Cole Sillinger at No. 12 and forward Corson Ceulemans at No. 25.
Cole Sillinger: Sillinger, who turns 19 on May 16, has played the entire season as the youngest player in the NHL and is showing promise with 26 points (13 goals, 13 assists) in 71 games. Sillinger is a big piece of the Blue Jackets' future, and they already have an idea of what he can become.