On January 11, the Columbus Blue Jackets languished in the Eastern Conference cellar. They were a team defined by blown third-period leads and a porous defensive shell. Twenty-four days later, the vibe in the 5th Line has shifted from “lottery watch” to “playoff hunt.”
The catalyst? A mid-season coaching change that brought veteran bench boss Rick Bowness out of retirement to replace Dean Evason. Since the “Bones” era began on January 12, the Jackets have posted a staggering 10-1-0 record, highlighted by a seven-game winning streak and a massive defensive tightening that has seen their goals-against average plummet from 3.38 under the previous regime to 2.63.
But the most significant development of the Bowness era isn’t just the wins—it is the elevation of Zach Werenski from a top caliber offensive defenseman to a frontrunner for the James Norris Memorial Trophy.
The Werenski Masterclass: A Historic Workload
Zach Werenski is currently putting together the most dominant individual season by a blueliner in franchise history. Following a goal in last night’s 4-0 shutout over Chicago, Through 56 games, Zach Werenski ranks among the NHL’s top goal-scoring defensemen with 20 goals and sits second in points with 62. He is on pace to break his own franchise record of 23 goals.
Under Bowness, Werenski has become the NHL’s ultimate workhorse. He leads the league in average ice time, clocking in at over 26 minutes per night, and holds the top spot for total skating distance. Whether he’s quarterbacking the top power-play unit or maintaining elite gap control against the opponent’s top line, Werenski has become the engine of the Columbus transition game.
“I think for us, getting in front and establishing our game is the difference,” Werenski said recently. “We’re playing with the puck more, and that’s a big reason why we’re having success.”
The “Bowness Bump”: Structure Over Chaos
When Don Waddell made the call to bring in Bowness, the objective was clear: fix the defensive zone. Bowness immediately installed a high-pressure system designed to protect the “house” and eliminate the odd-man rushes that had plagued the team in the first half.
The results are visible in the analytics. Since the switch, the Jackets have allowed just eight 5-on-5 goals in a six-game span. The penalty kill, which was ranked fourth-worst in the league under the previous regime, has allowed only one goal in the last six games.
The most critical shift, however, has been in communication. Werenski noted that Bowness’ style is unlike any coach he’s played for, including the brutally honest John Tortorella. “His communication is off the charts,” Werenski told TNT. “I’ve had more conversations with him in two weeks than I’ve had with any coach, ever.”
This transparency has trickled down to the youth. Players like Adam Fantilli and Kent Johnson are playing a more effective 200-foot game, knowing exactly where they stand in the rotation.
The Supporting Cast: Greaves and the Veteran Surge
While Werenski anchors the blue line, the revival has been supported by “heroic” goaltending and opportunistic scoring.
Jet Greaves: The young netminder has seized the starter’s crease, posting 17 wins on the season. He earned his second shutout of the campaign in last night’s 4-0 victory over the Blackhawks, stopping all 21 shots he faced. His high-danger save percentage currently ranks in the 99th percentile of the league, providing the backbone for the current winning streak.
Charlie Coyle: The veteran center has been a primary beneficiary of the system change. Playing on the top power-play unit alongside Werenski and Fantilli, Coyle has notched 14 points in 10 games since Bowness took over, including a hat trick in a recent win over Chicago.
The Olympic Break: Emptying the Tank
The Jackets head into the three-week Olympic break having won 11 of their last 12 games. They have successfully “emptied the tank” to climb within two points of the final Metropolitan Division playoff spot currently held by the New York Islanders.
While the break offers a chance to heal—specifically for Kirill Marchenko, who is expected to be out until at least Feb 26 with an illness—the real test begins in late February. Bowness has made it clear that the job isn’t done: “We haven’t done anything yet. You never lose that hunger to understand where we are and what we have to do to keep going forward.”
If Werenski continues to dominate his minutes and the Bowness structure holds, the Blue Jackets won’t just be an “intriguing story”—they will be the team no one wants to face in the first round.
