The Columbus Blue Jackets suffered a disappointing 6-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 21, 2025, as they attempted to keep their playoff hopes alive. Despite several commendable performances, including a goal from Kent Johnson, the game reflected the ongoing struggles of the Blue Jackets, who now find themselves mired in a six-game losing streak.
Though the Blue Jackets remained competitive during the match, they found it hard to overcome an early deficit, as Evgeni Malkin netted the Penguins’ first goal just over five minutes into the game. Columbus defenseman Zach Werenski voiced the team’s frustrations post-match, stating, “We work hard, we play the right way and we haven’t got rewarded.” His sentiments echoed the collective disappointment felt by the team as they slipped further from playoff contention.
With this latest defeat, the Blue Jackets now sit at 71 points, placing them fifth in the Eastern Conference Wild Card standings. They are trailing behind the New York Rangers and New York Islanders in the race for the final playoff position. As March progresses, the team has only managed to garner two victories during the month, against the Detroit Red Wings and the Rangers, precisely on March 9.
The last few losses have taken a toll on the team, who are now in a must-win situation in the remaining 13 games of the season if they hope to attain a playoff spot. With only 21 points available from those games, the challenge is daunting. The Blue Jackets need to maintain a positive outlook moving forward. “There’s still a lot of hockey to be played,” Werenski pointed out after the game, reminding the team and its supporters that all is not lost.
Conversely, the Penguins are experiencing a resurgence after what has been a tumultuous season. Their victory over Columbus represented their first win against the Blue Jackets this season, having previously suffered losses of 6-2 and 4-3 in earlier encounters. A standout performance in this match came from goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic, who made an impressive 44 saves, showing no signs of rust despite a 14-day inactivity period.
Bokondji Imama also shone in the match, scoring his first goal of the season and becoming the 29th different scorer for the Penguins this season, a league-high achievement. His earlier time on the ice this year has been limited to only 14 games, making this goal a significant personal milestone. Meanwhile, Malkin’s performance, which included scoring the Penguins’ opening goal, marked a potential turning point for him, as he aims to push toward the end of the season with renewed energy.
On the flip side, the Blue Jackets’ recent run of poor form has been exacerbated by an alarming trend — allowing the first goal in most games they have played, which places them at a disadvantage from the outset. This issue has plagued their season, showing just how crucial it is for them to score first and seize momentum to improve their odds of winning. Columbus has a poor record of 7-20-4 in games where they have trailed early, showcasing the urgency of addressing this problem swiftly.
As the season winds down, the road ahead for the Blue Jackets appears chock-full of challenges. They need to capitalize on their remaining games, and with a showdown against the New York Islanders next up, every point becomes increasingly vital. The urgency is palpable as they look to reverse their fortunes in March and potentially pave the way for a postseason appearance.
The loss in Pittsburgh left fans and analysts questioning whether the Blue Jackets can overcome their struggles and deliver a strong finish. The weight of Johnny Gaudreau’s No. 13 and his brother Matthew’s No. 21, worn as a tribute on their helmets, serves as a poignant reminder of the personal challenges the team faces alongside their professional ones, following the offseason tragedy that affected their family.
Now, the focus shifts to the immediate future. Columbus cannot afford to dwell on their past performances but must rally together to seize the new opportunities presented in the crucial 13 games remaining in the season. The sentiments expressed by Werenski resonate within the locker room: “We have to stay positive and look at the bright side of things, and that’s that we are playing well, but at the end of the day, we have to get two points in these games.” Another loss could spell disaster for their playoff dreams, but optimism remains, as the Blue Jackets continue their quest for redemption in the final stretch of the season.
