The Blue Jackets know they have to be better. At the same time, they expect themselves to be better, too.
It's been a rough road to start the season, with Columbus winning just three of its first nine, including three-goal losses against veteran teams like Tampa Bay, St. Louis and Pittsburgh. The latest such setback took place Friday night in Nationwide Arena, as a Boston team that has won eight of its first nine took a 4-0 victory against Columbus.
While the Blue Jackets believe in their young core's potential not just for this season but for years to come, there have been some growing pains thus far against the league's top teams.
"We're learning lessons, and sometimes that gets tough to keep saying, but you're learning against these top teams," Sean Kuraly said. "You give them an inch, they take a mile, and the game can get behind you before you even know it. We're going to learn from these good teams. Our plan is to stop some of those mistakes as soon as we can, and I think it's going to take every single guy. We know we have to be better in this room."
To a man, that was the message from the Blue Jackets after the Boston game. It's far too early in the season to panic, and the belief is better days are ahead as long as the team sticks together.
"We are all together in this," Merzlikins said. "I am pretty sure we are going to get out of this. I hope as soon as possible because later it is going to be too late. I believe in my team. I believe we can get to playoffs. We are a playoff team. If you don't believe it, it's up to you, but I do believe in my team. I believe in my guys. I know we can play hard and we can play good. We are going to get to that point."
