With the NHL regular season now less than two full months away, it's not too early to start thinking about the Columbus Blue Jackets' upcoming season.
And whether you'll be watching from afar or joining at Nationwide Arena, these five home games, in sequential order, caught our eye as extra special.
Oct. 14, 2021, vs. Arizona Coyotes
There's nothing quite like opening night. There's a buzz in the Arena District and an optimism in the air. It's a cool, crisp, autumn night with friends you haven't seen in months. Being inside the building on opening night is like a better version of the first day back to school after an enjoyable summer break. It just feels right. And even though the game itself is against a team with zero rivalry/history/etc., it's still opening night. Oh, and the Coyotes are intentionally trying to be as bad as possible, so the Blue Jackets might mess around and blow them out, which would be fun.
Oct. 16, 2021, vs. Seattle Kraken
Okay, it's admittedly ridiculous that the first TWO games of the regular season are on this list, but that's just how the NHL schedule-makers roll. This game, on a Saturday night (!), is a perfect chance to see some history, as the Kraken make their first trip to Columbus. Coincidentally, it's the Kraken's third game of the season, as they begin their NHL journey on a five-game road trip through Vegas, Nashville, Columbus, Philadelphia, and New Jersey. As a somewhat bitter sports fan remember-er of expansion drafts past, I can't say I'm displeased that the NHL schedule-makers are starting the Kraken on a five-game road swing. Hopefully, the Blue Jackets make it a difficult start to their NHL existence.
Nov. 24, 2021, vs. Winnipeg Jets
A Wednesday night mid-November hockey game against the Winnipeg Jets is easy to overlook. But this will be the first time that Pierre-Luc Dubois returns to Nationwide Arena since 'the shift', which ultimately led to his trade to the Jets in exchange for Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic. Nationwide Arena has a long memory, and I can imagine he won't be getting a warm reaction. There's a lot of hurt feelings in Columbus, and Dubois is among the more painful memories. On the other side of the coin is Laine and Jack Roslovic, who will look to exact revenge on their former team. Old friend Riley Nash is with the Jets, too, for whatever that's worth (note: it's not worth much).
Feb. 27, 2022, vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
A weekend game against the Pittsburgh Penguins is sure to draw a crowd, but this game makes the list for a completely different reason. Amazingly, it's the one and only home game in the month of February, as the NHL has carved out time for the 2022 Winter Olympics (note: it's still not a done deal that the NHL will go, but that's a good sign). After a month away from Nationwide Arena, plus a game against the Penguins, it's easy to imagine a riled-up crowd.
Mar. 5, 2022, vs. Boston Bruins
This Saturday night game marks the first time that Nick Foligno makes his return to Nationwide Arena. And unlike the game against the Jets, the former captain is sure to get a hero's welcome. Foligno is undoubtedly one of the most beloved players in franchise history, not unlike Cam Atkinson (Philadelphia) and David Savard (Montreal), but his legacy as the longest-serving captain in franchise history elevates his status higher than the return of the aforementioned. It could be an emotional night at Nationwide Arena.
It was tempting to include a few other games, like the return of Atkinson (Apr. 7, 2022), Savard (Jan. 4, 2022), and Seth Jones (Jan. 11, 2022), but they didn't crack my personal top five. Leave us a line in the comments below to let us know which games you're particularly fired up to see.
