Aaron Portzline
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Aaron Portzline
@aportzline.bsky.social
2.5K followers 1 following 130 posts
I cover the NHL and Columbus Blue Jackets for The Athletic. Sportswriting since 1986.
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The Athletic: Blue Jackets Monday Gathering
1. Denton Mateychuk becomes part of Connor McDavid’s career highlight reel
2. Boone Jenner’s trouble with injuries
3. Take 5, Marc Denis
4. Snacks: Marchenko nears record, Evason at ‘100’, Dubi still dealing, trivia, etc.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
Blue Jackets Monday Gathering: Denton Mateychuk joins Connor McDavid's highlight reel
www.nytimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 12:28 PM
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www.nytimes.com/athletic/681... Mathieu Olivier’s wake-up call earns Blue Jackets a point in shootout loss to Rangers
Mathieu Olivier’s wake-up call earns Blue Jackets a point in shootout loss to Rangers
The Blue Jackets, with the loser's point, are on a four-game point streak during their busiest stretch of the season.
www.nytimes.com
November 16, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Reposted by Aaron Portzline
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The Athletic: Has the Blue Jackets’ goaltending rotation ended?

What to make of #CBJ  Jet Greaves’ recent run of play heading into tonight’s game vs. #NYR 

www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Has the Blue Jackets' goalie rotation ended? What to make of Jet Greaves' run of play
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:11 PM
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The Athletic: Has the Blue Jackets’ goaltending rotation ended?

What to make of #CBJ  Jet Greaves’ recent run of play heading into tonight’s game vs. #NYR 

www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Has the Blue Jackets' goalie rotation ended? What to make of Jet Greaves' run of play
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:11 PM
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The Athletic: Three days after a heartbreaker in Edmonton, Blue Jackets manage to hold off #LetsGoOilers  5-4 in Nationwide.

Mathieu Olivier’s big night (2-1-3) helps #CBJ  win second straight after 4-game skid

INCLUDES Boone Jenner injury update

www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Mathieu Olivier, Blue Jackets hold on to beat Edmonton days after heartbreaker
The Jackets were able to avoid repeating history by preserving a shrinking lead to the end.
www.nytimes.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Reposted by Aaron Portzline
nypost.com
RIP Brooksie: Larry Brooks, Post legend and Hall of Fame hockey writer, dead at 75
RIP Brooksie: Larry Brooks, Post legend and Hall of Fame hockey writer, dead at 75
RIP Brooksie: Larry Brooks, Post legend and Hall of Fame hockey writer, dead at 75
nypost.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:30 AM
Reposted by Aaron Portzline
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The Athletic: Charlie Coyle's shootout winner in the fourth round helps #CBJ  end rough road trip with a 2-1 win in Seattle

Flu-riddled, heavy-legged Blue Jackets lose captain Boone Jenner early in the second period
#SeaKraken

www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Blue Jackets, Charlie Coyle gut out shootout win in Seattle to end rough road trip
Coyle’s goal in the fourth round of a shootout gave the the flu-ridden, heavy-legged Jackets something to smile about.
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:24 PM
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The Athletic: Charlie Coyle's shootout winner in the fourth round helps #CBJ  end rough road trip with a 2-1 win in Seattle

Flu-riddled, heavy-legged Blue Jackets lose captain Boone Jenner early in the second period
#SeaKraken

www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Blue Jackets, Charlie Coyle gut out shootout win in Seattle to end rough road trip
Coyle’s goal in the fourth round of a shootout gave the the flu-ridden, heavy-legged Jackets something to smile about.
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:24 PM
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The Athletic: Epic collapse | Blue Jackets play to script for 50+ minutes, but choke away a two-goal lead late and lose 5-4 in overtime to #LetsGoOilers 

#CBJ  allow last-minute shorthanded goal, then watch Jack Roslovic end it in OT after botched change

www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Epic collapse: Blue Jackers fritter away late two-goal lead, lose to Oilers in OT
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:38 PM
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The Athletic: Blue Jackets Monday Gathering
1. Brrr. An goal-scoring chill has hit too many #CBJ  players during skid
2. NHL vet Brendan Smith, 36, plugging away with @monstershockey
3. Snacks: Mathieu Olivier’s misconduct, a big #CBJ  kill, trivia and more

www.nytimes.com/athletic/679...
Blue Jackets Monday Gathering: Brrrrr. An offensive chill lingers for too many players
No team had more 15-goal scorers than Columbus last season. The Blue Jackets don't look likely to repeat the feat.
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:39 AM
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The Athletic: Judge rules statements by driver accused of killing Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau brothers can be used at trial, writes @hailey_salvian

www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
Judge rules statements by driver accused of killing Gaudreau brothers can be used at trial
Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau were struck and killed while riding bicycles near their childhood home on Aug. 29, 2024.
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:42 PM
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The Athletic: Blue Jackets’ first month brings streak and a learning curve —Thoughts, critiques and more

#CBJ 

www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Blue Jackets’ first month brings streak and a learning curve: Thoughts, critiques and more
As Dean Evason continues to tinker with lines amid a long road stretch, here's what stood out over the season's first month.
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:46 PM
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The Athletic: #CBJ  not ready to play on Wednesday in Calgary, fall behind early and fall 4-1 to #Flames  in Saddledome
First-line center Sean Monahan leaves game early after awkward end-board collision with Calgary’s Rasmus Andersson

www.nytimes.com/athletic/678...
Blue Jackets start slow in loss to Flames; Sean Monahan leaves with injury
If Monahan misses significant time, it could be devastating for a Blue Jackets club that is trying to end a five-year playoff drought.
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:35 PM
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Stepped away from the #CBJ  on Tuesday to serve as a poll worker / election judge here in Licking County, Ohio, but some #CBJ  stuff to ponder heading into tonight's game at Calgary:

1. #CBJ  could be w/0 Denton Mateychuk, who is battling something and may not play vs. #Flames 
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November 5, 2025 at 1:30 PM
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www.nytimes.com/athletic/677... Blue Jackets overcome sluggish start, then fritter away late lead in loss to Islanders
Blue Jackets overcome sluggish start, then fritter away late lead in loss to Islanders
The Blue Jackets managed to build a lead after a rough start but gave up two goals in the final 67 seconds.
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:05 AM
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www.nytimes.com/athletic/676... Sean Monahan’s first of the season, Jet Greaves’ strong outing, propel Blue Jackets
Sean Monahan’s first of the season, Jet Greaves’ strong outing, propel Blue Jackets
Monahan scored his first goal of the season in the Blue Jackets' 3-2 win over the St. Louis Blues on Saturday
www.nytimes.com
November 2, 2025 at 4:39 PM
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Barely newsworthy at this point, eh? #CBJ  goalie rotation continues, which means Jet Greaves gets the start tonight vs. #StLBlues  in Nationwide. No other lineup changes.
November 1, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Reposted by Aaron Portzline
stucowangazette.bsky.social
My weekly Stu's Slapshots notebook, including Martin St. Louis showing confidence in #Habs goalie Samuel Montembeault, why Jakub Dobes chose to go to Ohio State and Lane Hutson bringing back memories of Howie Meeker by skating with his laces undone: montrealgazette.com/sports/hocke...
Stu's Slapshots: Canadiens coach shows confidence in Samuel Montembeault
“Sam didn’t forget how to play in the net,” Martin St. Louis says about decision to start struggling goalie Saturday night against Senators.
montrealgazette.com
November 1, 2025 at 2:16 PM
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The Athletic: “What is the bottom six?” | #CBJ  coach Dean Evason, like many NHL coaches, claims no hierarchy among his forward lines

But, for now, he’s reached an enviable point: “We are comfortable playing any one of our lines against anybody.”

www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
For now, Blue Jackets have found a lethal offensive balance
At five-on-five play, the Blue Jackets have outscored opponents 26-17 through their first 10 games.
www.nytimes.com
November 1, 2025 at 12:18 PM
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The Athletic: Rarely are work meetings this effective.

But, after a morning get-together, #CBJ  checking line of Charlie Coyle, Cole Sillinger and Mathieu Olivier dominated in a 6-3 win over #LeafsForever 

www.nytimes.com/athletic/676...
After morning meeting, Blue Jackets’ checking line erupts to lead rout of Leafs
All three skaters on the Blue Jackets' third line set or matched career highs against the Leafs.
www.nytimes.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:57 AM
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The Athletic: #CBJ  Miles Wood's triumphant return from an eye injury pushes Blue Jackets to dramatic 4-3 OT win over #Sabrehood .

Wood (2-0-2) and Yegor Chinkahov (1-1-2) part of an electric fourth line in the Jackets' fourth-straight road win

www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
In return from injury, Blue Jackets' Miles Wood doesn't miss a beat
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:45 AM
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The Athletic: Road warriors? Well, not yet. But #CBJ  are more capable now of winning games away from Nationwide Arena

They’re 3-1 with wins at #mnwild , #TexasHockey  and #LetsGoPens  heading into #Sabrehood  tonight.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Blue Jackets may not be road warriors just yet, but they’re finally winning away games
After several seasons of dismal away records, the Blue Jackets have put together a promising stretch of road wins.
www.nytimes.com
October 28, 2025 at 12:24 PM
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The Athletic: Blue Jackets Monday Gathering
1. Yegor Chinakhov parked despite his recent spark
2. Miles Wood’s scare
3. Take 5, Denton Mateychuk
4. Snacks: A perfect shootout, Mathieu Olivier begs to differ, Boone Jenner drops ‘em, #CBJ  trivia, etc.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Blue Jackets Monday Gathering: Yegor Chinakhov remains parked in a fourth-line role
Plus checking in on Miles Wood after an eye injury, chatting with Denton Mateychuk and a rare stat from the overtime win in Pittsburgh.
www.nytimes.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:33 PM
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The Athletic: It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t pretty. But Saturday’s 5-4 SO win vs #LetsGoPens  is the type of game #CBJ  have historically found a way to lose.

Kirill Marchenko’s shootout winner gives #CBJ  a road win in Pittsburgh on a back to back 2nd game.

www.nytimes.com/athletic/675...
Blue Jackets beat Penguins in shootout — and they might be rewriting the script
Kirill Marchenko's game-deciding shootout goal helps Columbus to another road victory, something they struggled with last season.
www.nytimes.com
October 26, 2025 at 11:35 AM
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An update about our coverage:

Our weekly #CBJ  notebook, the Sunday Gathering, isn't going away, but it's moving to Mondays beginning this week.
There are too many Saturday games on the #CBJ  schedule to keep publishing on Sundays. Apologies if you liked the Sunday AM read.

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October 25, 2025 at 6:44 PM