COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Blue Jackets were just on the doorstep of the playoffs last season, missing out on the second-to-last day despite a hot streak in the final six games.

Heading into the 2025-26 season with largely the same roster, the Blue Jackets are not running from playoff expectations.

“This year, genuinely, I feel like if we’re not a playoff team, it’s a failure for this group,” Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski said at the team’s media luncheon on Monday at Nationwide Arena.

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