This is SB Nation Reacts, a survey of fans across the NHL. Each week, SB Nation sends out questions to the most plugged in Columbus Blue Jackets fans, and fans across the country. Sign up here to join Reacts.
According to the most recent SB Nation Reacts survey, 77 percent of Blue Jackets fans are confident the team is headed in the right direction. That’s down from 85 percent last week and 94 percent during the offseason.
Note that the latest results were taken on January 21, which was the day of Pierre-Luc Dubois’ benching. We’ll see if the poll results from last week show any improvement after the trade for Patrik Laine and Jack Roslovic, and a seven game point streak.
The 2021 season already looks different. Teams are playing in brand new divisions, paring them off against both teams they have almost no history against and reigniting dormant rivalries from years ago.
A few new divisional matchups rise above the rest. According to the Reacts survey, 47 percent of fans think having the Canadiens and Maple Leafs play as regularly as they are will make for the best rivalry this year. That is trailed by 17 percent fans who think reuniting the Bruins and Flyers will be best and 12 percent that picked the Blackhawks and Red Wings. The Blues and Avalanche earned 11 percent of the vote.
History between teams isn’t the only thing that may create an exciting rivalry through the season. One of the changes to the 2021 season is scheduling teams to play back-to-back games against each other.
Fans were asked if this new rule would increase resentment between teams. Nearly a full 100 percent believe it will.
One thing that isn’t expected to play much of a role this year according to fans is changing travel plans. Because of the new divisions, some teams will play nearly their entire schedule within a short bus ride from their home city. While others are playing divisional games across the country. However, only about one-third of fans think travel will have a bigger impact on this season than previous years.
To vote in the Reacts surveys and have your voice heard each week, sign up here.