The 2016–17 Columbus Blue Jackets season was one for the record books – in more ways than one. 1st Ohio Battery looks back at the individual and team records from the campaign.
The Blue Jackets were never supposed to get to this point.
They weren't supposed to buck any and all notions about them. They were supposed to roll over and take all of the criticism. They were supposed to stay anonymous.
A winning streak smack dab in the middle of their season through a wrench into pundits plans to write them off. They reeled off win, after win, after win, after win. It wasn't just a franchise mark they broke, they broke many NHL records along the way.
The Old Record: Nine wins in a row during the 2014-15 season
The most recent iteration of the record took place during one of the Blue Jackets' "lost seasons."
After having a losing record for most of the year and not much to fight for, the Blue Jackets started with a win against the Edmonton Oilers on March 18, 2015 and didn't lose until April 6 against the New York Rangers.
During that period of time, three different Blue Jackets' players scored hat tricks. Scott Hartnell, Nick Foligno and Cam Atkinson all had one during an 11 day span. Sergei Bobrovsky during this streak also had a sterling .931 save percentage to keep them afloat.
A forgettable season with an impressive streak to ruin their draft odds.
Record Breaker: 16 wins in a row
Out of everything to happen in the Blue Jackets' short history. This may end up at the top of the list of accomplishments. It is an oddly satisfying accomplishment that holds no meaning when talking about the postseason, but nonetheless is a source of pride.
Starting on November 26, 2016 and lasting until January 5, 2017, the Blue Jackets made history. In their first game of the streak against the Florida Panthers, it was a lowly shootout win. Bit by bit, it built and built until they weren't just winning games, they were dominating them.
The culmination of the streak took place on New Year's Eve against the Minnesota Wild. As the two squads on 12 plus game winning streaks faced off, it felt like a watershed moment for the team. Even though they were facing their expansion compatriots, it carried more legitimacy that they were able to win. It put them over a proverbial hump.
The will to win was there for the Blue Jackets in the streak and it showed that the team had a different level to it's game.
A lot of the best moments of the season took place during the streak. The drubbing over the Penguins. Game #16 that put them on the precipice of history. These weren't just moments in the context of the season either. They were franchise defining moments.
Breaking a franchise record is great, but being in the NHL history book for having one of the best winning streaks ever? Well, that's even better.
