Blue Jackets Seek Turnaround Against Surging Hurricanes

Columbus coach Rick Bowness hopes his team learned lessons from recent collapse against Bruins.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 1:36am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the action and intensity of a high-stakes hockey game, with sharp planes of blue, red, and white overlapping to create a dynamic, abstract visual representation of the matchup.The Blue Jackets and Hurricanes clash in a pivotal late-season matchup, with both teams looking to regain their footing and secure their playoff positioning.Columbus Today

The Columbus Blue Jackets are clinging to a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but have struggled of late, including blowing a three-goal lead in a shootout loss to the Boston Bruins. Coach Rick Bowness is hoping his team can turn things around quickly as they host the first-place Carolina Hurricanes in a crucial two-game series.

Why it matters

The Blue Jackets' recent skid has left them in a precarious position in the playoff race, with several teams close behind them in the standings. A series against the Hurricanes, who are battling for the top spot in the East, will be a major test for Columbus as they try to solidify their postseason position.

The details

After going on an 18-2-4 tear following Bowness' hiring in January, the Blue Jackets have won just once in their last five games. Their collapse against the Bruins, in which they gave up three goals in the final 14 minutes of regulation, has Bowness concerned about his team's ability to handle the pressure of playoff-caliber hockey. The Hurricanes, meanwhile, have also hit a bit of a rough patch, dropping two of their last three games, including a pair of losses to the Montreal Canadiens.

  • The Blue Jackets and Hurricanes will play back-to-back games on Tuesday and Thursday.
  • Columbus has just one win in its last five games.

The players

Rick Bowness

Head coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets, who took over the team in January after the firing of Dean Evason.

Charlie Coyle

Center for the Columbus Blue Jackets, who is focused on the team's next game rather than dwelling on the collapse against Boston.

Rod Brind'Amour

Head coach of the Carolina Hurricanes, who was disappointed in his team's recent losses to the Canadiens despite outshooting them.

Jordan Staal

Captain of the Carolina Hurricanes, who acknowledged that his team's defensive lapses were as much to blame for their losses as the strong goaltending of the Canadiens.

Andrei Svechnikov

Forward for the Carolina Hurricanes, who scored the team's lone goal on the power play in their most recent loss to Montreal.

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What they’re saying

“Some of these guys, they've got a lot to learn about how to play in this league at this time of year. It gets harder and harder and harder, and we're going to keep reminding them and reminding them every day how hard it is to win at this time of the year.”

— Rick Bowness, Head Coach, Columbus Blue Jackets

“It won't be tough, because there's nothing we can do about it now. There are so many more meaningful games left that we just have to take advantage of. The one we're getting ready for, and that's the next one on the schedule.”

— Charlie Coyle, Center, Columbus Blue Jackets

“Pretty much identical as the game up there. We played well, we definitely created enough opportunities, we just didn't score. So, you tip your hat to that goalie. He played great again.”

— Rod Brind'Amour, Head Coach, Carolina Hurricanes

“Obviously, their goalie played well, but it's what you give up, too. It was a couple mishaps in the second, and being down a couple against a goalie who is playing well is never easy.”

— Jordan Staal, Captain, Carolina Hurricanes

What’s next

The Blue Jackets and Hurricanes will meet again on Thursday in Raleigh, providing Columbus another chance to turn things around against the division leaders.

The takeaway

This crucial two-game series between the Blue Jackets and Hurricanes will test Columbus' ability to bounce back from their recent struggles and solidify their playoff positioning, while Carolina looks to regain its dominant form against a desperate opponent.