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The Columbus Blue Jackets have missed the playoffs for the sixth straight year thanks to a stunning late-season collapse that concluded with a 2-1 loss to the Washington Capitals on Tuesday night.
The organization went from second place in the Metropolitan Division last month to being eliminated in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Philadelphia Flyers on Monday. Head coach Rick Bowness, who came out of retirement to take over in January, didn’t hold back for his team when he spoke to reporters Tuesday night.
Head coach Rick Bowness of the Columbus Blue Jackets watches the play during an NHL game against the Carolina Hurricanes at the Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina, on April 2, 2026. (Katherine Gawlik/Icon Sportswire)
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“All you have to do is look at the stat sheet: three hits, 23 turnovers. I don’t know if I’ll come back, but if I come back, I’ll change this culture,” he said bluntly. “These guys don’t care. Losing isn’t important enough to them. It doesn’t bother them. How can you go out and play like that?”
“I should have done this about a month ago, but that’s why we are where we are. That’s why we’re out of the playoffs. That kind of effort. You’ve got to hate losing. I don’t care if it’s a meaningless game. I don’t care. Show up and compete.”
Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness leads his team from the bench against the Florida Panthers at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida, on March 12, 2026. (Eliot J. Schechter/NHLI via Getty Images)
Bowness replaced Dean Evason on January 12 when the Blue Jackets were in last place in the Eastern Conference. But he quickly turned things around and Columbus went 18-2-4 in its first 24 games.
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The Blue Jackets found themselves in a playoff spot, but as soon as things turned for the better, they went 3-9-1 down the stretch and missed the playoffs for the sixth straight season.
“Some of those guys are very lucky that the season is over and there’s no practice tomorrow,” Bowness said, later adding, “It’s inexcusable. If they’re not embarrassed not just by tonight, but by that, they’re on the wrong team.”
Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness coaches against the New York Rangers during the second period at Madison Square Garden in New York, NY on March 2, 2026. (Brad Penner/Image Images)
“If I come back, we will change this damn culture.”
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