Resilient Blue Jackets remain in wild-card chase after crazy comeback victory over Canucks

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Falling behind by three goals 14 minutes into a game would rattle most teams.

With everything the Columbus Blue Jackets have faced in the past seven months though, it was just another night at the office.

The Blue Jackets staged the eighth three-goal comeback win in franchise history — and second this season — beating the Vancouver Canucks 7-6 in a shootout on Friday night to jump back into a playoff spot for the first time since March 14.

Columbus' win and losses by Montreal and the New York Rangers have all three teams at 75 points.

“It’s definitely not the way you want to start games being down like that, but coming in after the first honestly we were like, we’re coming back. There’s no way we’re losing this game,” said defenseman Dante Fabbro, who had a goal and two assists.

Columbus' other three-goal comeback this season came on Nov. 21 against Tampa Bay, which was also a 7-6 score. The Blue Jackets, though, won that in overtime.

The Blue Jackets have been riding an emotional rollercoaster since the death of star forward Johnny Gaudreau in late August. Gaudreau was killed along with his brother, Matthew, while riding their bicycles near their hometown in New Jersey on the eve of their sister Katie’s wedding.

First-year coach Dean Evason has stressed to his team trying to be even keel despite what might have felt like a sinking feeling.

“We’ve talked all year about learning from different experiences," Evason said. “You build up that memory it’s OK if things go a little sideways. I don’t think it’s a shock that this team handles adversity pretty well. If our team doesn't show any panic, why would we as coaches?"

The Blue Jackets fell behind 3-0 in the first period before scoring three goals in the first 10 minutes of the second to tie it. Vancouver regained the lead with a pair of goals before Columbus scored three straight again.

The Canucks though sent it to overtime when Aatu Raty's second goal of the third period made it 6-all.

“That’s on us. it’s happened a few games in a row here, and it’s something we need to fix,” Blue Jackets team captain Boone Jenner said. “It’s not easy when you spot the other team a couple goals in the first period. We can start better, but after that i liked how we gathered ourselves. It says a lot about group that we stayed resilient. It’s a character win.”

Columbus is still in playoff contention despite a 4-7-1 record in March and a power-play unit that was mired in an 0-for-25 drought until Jenner's third-period goal.

Jenner — who missed the first 56 games due to shoulder surgery — has goals in three straight games and has 14 points in 15 games.

The Blue Jackets don't have much time to savor this comeback win. They are at Ottawa on Saturday night.

With 11 games remaining, Columbus will have six at home as they try to secure a playoff spot in a crowded field where seven teams are within six points of the final wild card.

“That’s one of those games you want to sit on for a few days because they’re very emotional, but the challenge for our group is to reset really quick because we have another big one tomorrow," said right winger Mathieu Olivier, who had a goal and an assist. "It’s that time of year. It’s exciting.”

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Columbus Blue Jackets center Kent Johnson (91) skates past Vancouver Canucks goaltender Kevin Lankinen (32) after scoring in a shootout of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 28, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Columbus Blue Jackets center Kent Johnson celebrates after scoring in a shootout in an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks Friday, March 28, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) blocks a shot by Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes, left, in overtime of an NHL hockey game Friday, March 28, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins celebrates after the Blue Jackets defeated the Vancouver Canucks in an NHL hockey game Friday, March 28, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Mathieu Olivier (24) celebrates with teammates after scoring in the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Vancouver Canucks Friday, March 28, 2025, in Columbus, Ohio. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)

NEW YORK (AP) — Atlanta Braves outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended for 80 games without pay for performance-enhancing drug use.

Major League Baseball announced Monday that Profar tested positive for Chorionic Gonadotrophin (hCG) in violation of the league’s joint drug prevention and treatment program. According to the Cleveland Clinic, hCG is a hormone that helps in the production of testosterone.

The suspension of Profar is effective immediately. Barring postponed games, Profar would be eligible to return June 29 against Philadelphia and would lose $5,806,440 of his $12 million salary. He is also ineligible for the postseason.

Profar called it the “most difficult day of my baseball career” and said he would never knowingly cheat.

“This is especially painful for me because anyone who knows me and has seen me play knows I am deeply passionate about the game,” he said in a statement. “There is nothing I love more than competing with my teammates and being a fan favorite. I want to apologize to the entire Braves organization, my teammates and the fans.

“It is because of my deep love and respect for this game that I would never knowingly do anything to cheat it. I have been tested my entire career, including eight times last season alone, and have never tested positive. I would never willingly take a banned substance, but I take full responsibility and accept MLB’s decision.”

The 32-year-old Profar was an All-Star and won a Silver Slugger last season when he batted .280 and set career highs with 24 homers and 85 RBIs for San Diego. He then signed a three-year, $42 million contract with the Braves in the offseason.

Profar is the fourth player who has been suspended this year for violating the performance-enhancing substance policy, with the others coming under the minor league program and the program for minor leaguers assigned outside the United States and Canada.

Two players were suspended last year under the major league drug program.

Noelvi Marté, a 22-year-old infielder who was considered Cincinnati’s top prospect, missed the first 80 games following a positive test for boldenone.

Toronto infielder Orelvis Martínez was suspended for 80 games on June 23 following a positive test for the performance-enhancing drug clomiphene, an announcement made two days after his major league debut.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Atlanta Braves' Jurickson Profar acknowledges the crowd as he walks up to bat during the first inning of an opening-day baseball game against his former team, the San Diego Padres, Thursday, March 27, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

FILE - Atlanta Braves' Jurickson Profar acknowledges the crowd as he walks up to bat during the first inning of an opening-day baseball game against his former team, the San Diego Padres, March 27, 2025, in San Diego. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)

Atlanta Braves' Ozzie Albies hits into a force out during the first inning of an opening-day baseball game against the San Diego Padres Thursday, March 27, 2025, in San Diego. Atlanta Braves' Jurickson Profar scored from third base on the play. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)