The Columbus Blue Jackets are a team on a mission. After finishing a heartbreaking two points out of the final wild-card spot last season, they are champing at the bit to prove they are a legitimate playoff contender. With their core group of players returning, the stage is set for a breakout season.
However, the team isn’t without its challenges, most notably the trade request from talented forward Yegor Chinakhov. This preseason will be a crucial testing ground for the Blue Jackets to address their chemistry, fine-tune their strategies, and prove they have what it takes to make a deep run.
A Closer Look at the 2025 Preseason Slate
The Blue Jackets will kick off their preseason at home against the St. Louis Blues on September 21st, a tough opponent that will immediately test their mettle. They follow that up with a home-and-home series against the Buffalo Sabres, another young and hungry team looking to make a statement. These games will be a great opportunity to see how the Blue Jackets stack up against a team with a similar trajectory. A home-and-home with the rival Pittsburgh Penguins is always a can’t-miss event, and these preseason matchups will be no exception. Expect a playoff-like atmosphere as these two teams look to set the tone for their regular-season battles. The preseason wraps up with a home-and-home against the Washington Capitals, a veteran team that will provide a final, challenging test before the games start to count.
The Full Columbus Blue Jackets Preseason Schedule 2025
Here is a complete list of the Blue Jackets’ 2025 preseason games:
- Sunday, September 21st vs. St. Louis Blues at Nationwide Arena, 5:00 PM EDT
- Monday, September 22nd vs. Buffalo Sabres at Nationwide Arena, 7:00 PM EDT
- Tuesday, September 23rd at Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center, 7:00 PM EDT
- Wednesday, September 24th vs. Pittsburgh Penguins at Nationwide Arena, 7:00 PM EDT
- Saturday, September 27th at Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena, 7:00 PM EDT
- Tuesday, September 30th vs. Washington Capitals at Nationwide Arena, 7:00 PM EDT
- Saturday, October 4th at Washington Capitals at Capital One Arena, 7:00 PM EDT
This preseason is more than just a series of exhibition games for the Blue Jackets; it’s a chance to build momentum, answer questions, and forge an identity. The Chinakhov situation will be a storyline to watch, as the team will need to figure out how to move forward, with or without him. The performance of the team’s core players will be under the microscope, as they will be expected to lead the charge. This is a team with a chip on its shoulder, and they will be looking to make a statement from the very first puck drop of the preseason.
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