If my previous posts have not yet classified me as a Columbus Blue Jackets fan, then this post surely will. As fans, we love our team no matter what, even after the 0-8 start to last season. However, now that we are beating the top teams of the NHL and creating franchise records what seems like every game, it is even more special to be a 5th Liner.

While the Jackets have only played a league low 15 games, they have a pretty awesome record especially considering the history of our team. As I mentioned above, we started our season 0-8 last year which prompted a coach change that has definitely been for the better. The team gave us a scare after losing the first two games at home to start the season, but a win against a notably good team, the Chicago Blackhawks, put us back where we needed. This win has created greatness, including two shutouts in four games while the team was away on the West Coast (Dallas Stars, 3-0 on October 22 and Anaheim Ducks, 4-0 on October 28.) Great games are just what the team needed as bad starts have been something we have grown accustomed to. Even in 2013-14 when the team made the Stanley Cup Playoffs for just the second time in franchise history, in the first 20 games, the Jackets were 8-10-2. While we would improve later in the season, at times it was too late. A solid start to the season is what we wanted/needed.

On November 3, the Blue Jackets played the Montreal Canadiens who were undefeated in regulation and on top of the NHL. The Jackets did have momentum as they won their previous two games and had done well against the Canadians in the past, they were the underdogs. The Jackets shook the league after a 10-0 win against what was and still is classified as the best in the league. The media was loving this blowout just as much as us fans.

Since the Jackets' loss at home against the San Jose Sharks on October 15, they have gone on a seven game at home win streak, which of course is a new franchise record following the 4-2 win against division rivals the New York Rangers, which I had the pleasure of attending. It was said that this win streak definitely had opponents fearing the home-ice advantage especially against the Blue Jackets since they had done so well. The Blue Jackets have now beaten the top four teams in the league, all of whom they faced on home-ice. The team keeps saying that they want to win most at home not only for the points but for the fans as well. Fans are uniting more and more each game. At Nationwide Arena, you can hear chants of "lets go Blue Jackets, lets go," "CBJ, CBJ" and on special occasions, (Canadians and Blues), you could hear chants of "we want ten" filling the arena.

With their current 9-4-2 record, things are looking good. There have been times that the team did not look their best. After a 5-2 loss against Boston Bruins caused by several turnovers, nobody could explain this loss especially after coming off a win at home against the Ducks. The team has also faced some injuries that have caused a small amount of distress. Defenseman Seth Jones suffered a hairline fracture in his foot against the St. Louis Blues on November 5. He has been said to be out for at least three weeks, however he was able to take part in the morning skate this week at Nationwide Arena. Defenseman Dalton Prout took part in warm-ups on November 15 but did not play the game due to an upper-body injury being said that he locked up. Centerman Brandon Dubinsky faced a broken nose late into the game on November 15 against the Washington Capitals but finished the game and assisted Cam Atkinson's overtime goal. Left-wing Matt Calvert suffered a puck to the forehead during the game against the New York Rangers on November 18. He left the game but came back in the third to score the game winning goal after receiving 36 stitches. This kind of drive like Dubinsky and Calvert have to come out and finish strong even with injuries not only improves our record but also our team. Our goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky said it best: "we'll lose together, we'll win together."

All in all, it is still really early in the season but it is hard not to get excited especially when the Jackets are breaking franchise records what seems like each game. We keep winning even against teams that are in the top five of the NHL and despite the fact that we are constantly considered the underdogs. If your favorite team is coming up on the Blue Jackets schedule at home, you should be scared because Nationwide Arena is our house.