COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Blue Jackets three games into this season are a tale of two teams defensively.

In 5-on-5 situations, they have been stingy, allowing just two goals. One was an empty netter by Devils forward Dawson Mercer in Monday night’s 3-2 loss .

When a reporter mentioned that the Blue Jackets had held New Jersey Devils superstar Jack Hughes without a shot in a previous game and limited him to just one shot in their most recent matchup, Evason confirmed what the eye test suggested: Columbus has established a defensive identity that can neutralize even the game’s most dangerous talents.

“We’re doing a lot of really good things,” Evason noted. “We’re checking well, but we’re staying on the right side of people.”

Blue Jackets fall to Devils 3-2 as special teams struggles continu

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