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Greg Wishynski
multiple authors
columbus blue jackets Coach Rick Bowness questioned his players’ commitment to winning after a disappointing season-ending defeat washington capitals On Tuesday night.
“Just look at the statsheet: three hits, 23 giveaways. I don’t know if I’m back, but if I come back, I’m changing this culture. These guys, they don’t care. Losing isn’t that important to them. It doesn’t bother them. How can you go out and play like this?” Bowness said.
The Jackets were eliminated from playoff contention on Monday when philadelphia flyers Took third place in Metro Division. Bowness calls his effort successful in 2-1 loss to Washington – could have been the Capitals’ star Alex Ovechkin‘s final game, pending a decision on retirement – ”terrible and unforgivable” by his standards.
“If they’re not embarrassed by tonight, they’re on the wrong team,” Bowness said.
The loss marked one of the most disappointing stretches in franchise history for Columbus. The Blue Jackets have won only twice in their last 11 games (2–8–1), falling below a playoff seed. It was a stunning reversal of fortunes for the 70-year-old Bowness, who had started 10-1-0 in his first 11 games since coming out of retirement to replace Dean Evason on January 12. Columbus finished with a record of 40–30–12 (.561 points percentage).
Bowness said, “I should have done this about a month ago, but that’s why we’re 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.”
Bowness said his team faltered under the pressure of an Eastern Conference playoff race.
“Because it’s been tough. Because it’s been tough. As we talked about after the Olympic break: it’s getting tougher. So everything’s good as long as it’s going its way. And now it’s got tough and we don’t want to fight back,” he said. “We’re going to change that. Some of those guys are lucky enough that the season is over and there’s no practice tomorrow.”
Columbus has not qualified for the Stanley Cup playoffs since 2020. Since entering the league in the 2000–01 season, the Jackets have advanced beyond the first round of the playoffs only once.
Bowness said he would discuss his future with GM Don Waddell.
“Tonight the players were told: If I come back we will change this weird culture,” he said.
