Los Angeles. After all the setbacks and all the bad luck, the Columbus Blue Jackets finally managed to finish 2022 as winners.
They won the New Year’s Eve jumbo final against Chicago 4-1.
“It’s been a tough season, so it’s really great to go into the new year with a win,” top scorer Gustav Nyquist told Sportbladet.
When Columbus managed to get Johnny Goudreau during this summer’s free agency race, big dreams arose in Central Ohio, but even before the regular season reached halftime, only ashes remained from those dreams.
The blue class has gone so well, they could only momentarily prove themselves in tough competition and sat out before New Year’s Eve at home against the Blackhawks – a pure jumbo final – with seven straight losses under their belt.
– It was very difficult, there is nothing to talk about, – says Gustav Nyquist on the phone from Columbus.
– But we weren’t very lucky because important players were injured. The entire backcourt staff has gone missing, as well as the likes of Patrick Lane and Jacob Vorask. It’s very difficult when so much is missing.
But during the last fragile hours of the year, Gustav and his colleagues could console themselves with two long overdue points. They snapped a losing streak with a 4-1 victory over the Hawks.
Speculation about the future begins
– It’s great to be able to enter the New Year with a victory, – continues Gus.
– You’re still fighting, you can’t lie down and die. All these injuries mean ample opportunity for young players to emerge and play big minutes in all kinds of positions.
The 33-year-old from Skåne himself scored twice, one of which was an empty net, during the New Year’s Ball and had a good autumn overall – despite the team’s setbacks.
– Well, I wish I had produced a bit more, but I’m struggling and trying as one of the older players to set the tone for the team.
However, the question is how long the vests will benefit from Gustave’s services. His contract expires after this season and there is already speculation that he will be traded to a better team before the March deadline.
– There’s no talking about it, I’ll hear my name when we get close to the trade deadline. It seems like every year, but I have no idea what happens. He says we will see.
As Chicago’s Emil Bemström scored, Adam Bokvist — a running back who was missing during the fall but is now back — responded for an assist.