Blue Jackets Cruise to Convincing Win Over Blackhawks – The Hockey Writers Columbus Blue Jackets Latest News, Analysis & More

The Columbus Blue Jackets needed to open post 4-Nations play with a win. In front of another sellout crowd, they were able to win going away.

Kent Johnson scored twice while Zach Werenski fresh off being the leading scorer at the 4-Nations added a goal and two assists to lift the Blue Jackets to a 5-1 win in front of 18,809 fans. Elvis Merzlikins was strong making 27 saves.

The story of this game was coming out with good energy and structure throughout the game. Having captain Boone Jenner back helped them in that category.

Game Recap

The Blue Jackets were able to break through just over four minutes into the game. Cole Sillinger with his new linemates of Jenner and Kent Johnson went to work. Sillinger’s effort won a couple of battles. The puck landed on Johnson’s stick who beat Petr Mrazek from the slot.

Johnson’s 18th goal of the season was assisted by Sillinger and Zach Werenski. Werenski’s home points streak is now at 22 games which is tied for the third-longest in NHL history for defensemen.

The Blue Jackets went to the room up 1-0 but had around 1:40 of power-play time to start the second. They needed to take advantage of situational hockey. They were able to convert on that power play.

Johnson scored his second of the night to make it 2-0. More than the goal itself, this gave the team momentum and confidence to settle into the game. Coach Dean Evason admitted as such postgame.

Despite Craig Smith beating Merzlikins to cut it to 2-1 five minutes into the second, that was all the Blue Jackets would allow on the night. They settled in and stymied the Blackhawks the rest of the night. This allowed the offense to put the game out of reach.

Denton Mateychuk scored an unassisted goal to make it 3-1. His confidence and aggressive play made the goal happen. It was perhaps one of his best games as a Blue Jacket at both ends of the ice.

Werenski and Adam Fantilli scored 53 seconds apart in the third to get to the final score of 5-1. Postgame, Evason admitted the team was watching when the Blue Jackets had the crowd sing happy birthday to Johnny Gaudreau Jr. during a timeout. Here’s what he said postgame about the moment.

“We weren’t locked in. We were watching. Hard not to lose your composure but way more happy thoughts. We’ve talked about our crowd and our fans. I mean, it’s just incredible. The organization, but for the fans to recognize and do that, it was very special. To see Meredith and the kids, it was hard to see her because it was emotional. But I think she felt the happiness that we all did as well.”

With the win, the Blue Jackets pull into a tie with the Red Wings and Senators at 62 points but are behind in tiebreakers. They next play Tuesday night when they host the Dallas Stars. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks head home to host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday.