3 keys for the columbus blue jackets to defeat the oilers – hockey writers – columbus blue jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets have found themselves in the midst of a three-game losing streak. In all three games the blue jackets fell, had a chance, and were just a few moments away from taking the lead and pulling it out.
Looking ahead to today’s game against the Edmonton Oilers, a team that the Blue Jackets always struggle with on the road, they need to find a way to take this game and stop the slide. The Blue Jackets battle the Edmonton Oilers, who have an all-time record of 9-23-2, and most recently, have lost the last five years there.
Find out how to accommodate special groups
One of the deciding factors in tonight’s meeting in Alberta will be special teams, and in Columbus, the hope is that they won’t need it. The blue jacket units both ways have struggled, and in particular, the penalty kill has not been kind.
The Oilers have an ultra-talented power-play unit, led by Hall of Famers Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. Edmonton wants to add and get to the power play early in this game and allow the unit to take over early. Columbus doesn’t want to force the jet greave to make plays to stay alive, but rather play with the puck in the offensive zone, and force Edmonton to play reactionary hockey.
Special teams – November 9 pic.twitter.com/werkkym4b
– jfresh (@jfreshhockey) November 9, 2025
The Blue Jackets’ Road Power Play is better than the home power play, believe it or not. Columbus has to find a way to stay focused and stay strong against a team that just allowed eight goals and even a power play against the Colorado Avalanche just last game.
If Columbus can stay flexible and continue to be strong in a 5-in-5 situation, there are good ties to come out of Edmonton to put a stop to the losing streak.
Get to Stuart Skinner early in the game
Stuart Skinner has been the center of a ton of offseason chatter every season because of his playoff struggles. However, throughout the regular season he has been one of the better players in the league, but not this season. Skin is off to a rough start, and we want a big game to bounce back and get off his heels.
The Blue Jackets have been an offense that has struggled to get consistent production from more than their top line in multiple games. The chance tonight to break in a big way will be very close by skin, but it allows players like Kirill Marchenko, Dmitri Voronkov, and Adam Pintlilli to go early and play.
Team Goalteing – November 9 pic.twitter.com/ITDVMJDU5H
– jfresh (@jfreshhockey) November 9, 2025
With the blue jackets, it goes without saying that they need to get pucks from the leather center, and in fact they are just too short to ensure that he is forced to respond. The offense will come, and chances will be there to score again, but the blue jackets must get pucks towards the skin and force him to do this simple again.
If the blue line can play well in the play area, it will open up more opportunities in the slot for the best ballys in those areas. If they can’t open that slot, look for guys like Bone Jenner, Miles Wood, and Kent Johnson to have a big game for Columbus.
Don’t let a hot start slow the game down
It seems understandable that the oilers would start this game with their hair on fire. Coming off the heels of a 9-1 loss to the Avalanche, the Oilers will need to come out with the mindset of scoring early and often.
Columbus has recently taken a flurry of attacks early in games, especially on the road. They have to find a way to stick to this and not let the game get out of hand after the first period. If the blue jackets can match the early power and attack of the oilers, it will be good spam and allow Columbus to work in the key moments of the last game.
5V5 XOOLS for November 9 pic.twitter.com/54xggyfjgh
– jfresh (@jfreshhockey) November 9, 2025
The fact that Columbus can sustain a lot of pressure on teams throughout the full 60 minutes means that the goals will come, but they should continue to decrease. The blue jackets need to play a full 60 minutes of their style of hockey and support an early push in Edmonton.
The law of averages suggests that at the pace Columbus plays, they will get points, but they can’t try to beat Edmonton in their career. If they win the small battles, the three-way skid will end tonight in Edmonton.
