Imagine a team so unpredictable that they either light up the scoreboard like a pinball machine or go completely silent—there’s no in-between. That’s the Columbus Blue Jackets for you this season, and their jaw-dropping 7-0 win over the Washington Capitals on April 12, 2025, just put that rollercoaster ride in the spotlight. Let’s unpack the wild stat that’s got everyone talking and what it means for this feisty squad.

The Blue Jackets didn’t just beat the Capitals—they steamrolled them. Jet Greaves, the rookie goaltender, was a brick wall, stopping all 21 shots for his first NHL shutout. Adam Fantilli was a force, scoring twice and throwing a monster hit on Capitals rookie Ryan Leonard that set the tone early. The game was a statement: Columbus is still scrapping for a playoff spot, trailing the New Jersey Devils by six points for the Eastern Conference’s wild card. But it’s not just the win that’s turning heads—it’s how the Blue Jackets keep defying expectations with their scoring.

Dimitri Filipovic dropped a stat on X that sums it up perfectly: “The Blue Jackets have now scored either 0 goals or 6+ goals in over 30% of their games this season.” Think about that for a second. In nearly one out of every three games, this team either goes supernova or forgets where the net is. They have scored more than 6 goals in three matches and weren’t able to score even one in two matches.

It’s like flipping a coin between a fireworks show and a power outage. That kind of inconsistency is rare in the NHL, where most teams grind out 2-3 goal games. For Columbus, it’s feast or famine, and fans are along for the wild ride.

So, what’s driving this? For one, their offense can be electric when it clicks. Players like Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko (27 and 31 goals this season, respectively) can explode out of nowhere, especially when the team’s skating with confidence like they did against Washington. Zach Werenski’s playmaking from the blue line—he’s got 56 assists—adds fuel to the fire. But when the puck doesn’t bounce their way, or they face a hot goalie, things can go quite fast. Injuries haven’t helped either; losing key pieces forces them to lean on young guys who are still finding their groove.

This win wasn’t just a stat-padder—it kept Columbus’ playoff hopes flickering. Sure, the Capitals rested Alex Ovechkin, fresh off breaking Gretzky’s goal record, and Jakob Chychrun was out sick. But a 7-0 rout against a team that’s clinched the Metro Division? That’s no fluke. It shows what the Blue Jackets are capable of when everything’s firing. One thing’s for sure—this team’s unpredictability makes them a nightmare to game-plan against. The Blue Jackets are anything but boring and still in contention for the playoffs.

Columbus Blue Jackets remain in contention for a playoff spot despite average goaltending

Despite inconsistent goaltending, the Columbus Blue Jackets remain in the hunt for a playoff spot in the 2024-25 NHL season. The team’s resilience has kept them competitive, with head coach Dean Evason emphasizing their ability to overcome adversity. The Blue Jackets’ success hinges on their balanced offensive attack and structured defensive play, which has compensated for average performances in the net.

Elvis Merzļikins and Daniil Tarasov have shared goaltending duties, but neither has posted standout numbers. Between March 2 and April 6, the Blue Jackets struggled, posting a 4-11-1 record, the second-worst in the NHL during that span. In those 16 games, Merzļikins went 3-7-1 with a .872 save percentage and 4.01 goals-against average, while Tarasov went 1-3-0 with a .880 save percentage and 3.38 goals-against average. Despite these struggles, Merzļikins’ season-long save percentage hovers around .900, and Evason has praised both goaltenders’ efforts, noting that the team’s system minimizes high-danger chances, reducing pressure on the netminders. The Blue Jackets rank in the top half of the league for shots allowed per game, a testament to their defensive discipline.

The Metropolitan Division remains a battleground, with the Blue Jackets sitting just outside the wild-card spots. Upcoming games against playoff contenders will test their mettle, but their ability to stay in contention speaks to Evason’s leadership and the team’s grit. If Columbus can stabilize their goaltending, they could solidify their postseason chances. For now, their playoff hopes rest on outworking opponents and capitalizing on offensive opportunities, proving they don’t need elite goaltending to compete.