Blue Jackets Eye Strong Finish Before Olympic Break with Rematch vs. Blackhawks
The Columbus Blue Jackets are rolling-and they’re looking to hit the Olympic break with the throttle still down. When they take the ice Wednesday night at Nationwide Arena for a rematch with the Chicago Blackhawks, they’ll be chasing a 10-1 record under head coach Rick Bowness.
That kind of stretch doesn’t just happen by accident. It’s the product of structure, buy-in, and timely contributions up and down the lineup.
Coming off a commanding 3-0 win over the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, the Jackets are showing signs of a team finding its identity. Mathieu Olivier found the back of the net twice, Elvis Merzlikins turned away all 23 shots he faced, and Dante Fabbro-back in the lineup-delivered the game-winner.
That’s the kind of depth performance that playoff-bound teams rely on. And with the Olympic pause looming, the Jackets are making their case as a group that’s not just hot, but sustainable.
Blue Line Balance: Fabbro Returns, Depth Becomes a Puzzle
Let’s start with the defense. With Fabbro back in the mix, Columbus now has eight healthy defensemen.
That’s a good problem to have-until it comes time to make nightly decisions. For now, Bowness has made it clear: the six who suited up Tuesday are his top unit.
“We consider top-six playing to be our top-six guys,” Bowness said. “That’s our best look right now.”
Fabbro slotted in on the left side-a bit of a shift-but didn’t miss a beat. Ideally, the Jackets would run with three lefties and three righties, but as Bowness pointed out, you work with the hand you’re dealt. And right now, the hand looks solid.
That leaves Jake Christiansen and Egor Zamula on the outside looking in-for now. The Olympic break adds a wrinkle, as it could be a while before either sees game action again.
But this is the NHL. One injury, one tough night, and the depth chart can shift quickly.
As the playoff push intensifies, Columbus will likely need all eight at some point.
Managing Minutes: Keeping Werenski Fresh
Zach Werenski has long been one of the NHL’s ironmen when it comes to ice time. But Bowness is taking a more measured approach with his top defenseman, particularly in back-to-back games. On Tuesday, Werenski logged under 23 minutes-a deliberate move by the coaching staff.
“Twenty-two to 23 minutes is ideal for him,” Bowness said. “If the game’s on the line and we need him to play 27, we know he can. But we don’t want him at 20 after two periods.”
It’s a smart play. As the season wears on, especially with the grind of a playoff race ahead, conserving Werenski’s legs now could pay dividends later. He’s still the go-to guy when it matters, but the staff is making sure he’s not running on fumes when those high-leverage minutes arrive.
Lundestrom’s Quiet Impact Grows
Isac Lundestrom may not light up the scoresheet, but he’s quickly becoming one of Bowness’ most trusted pieces. The coach has praised his versatility, calling him a “10th man” who can slide up or down the lineup depending on what the team needs.
Lundestrom, for his part, isn’t trying to be anything he’s not.
“I want to get every detail right and try to be good defensively,” he said. “I want to be trusted out there.”
He’s earning that trust. On Saturday in St.
Louis, he opened the scoring with a goal and showed flashes of the offensive instincts he carried back in Sweden. But make no mistake-his bread and butter is playing the right way.
Staying on the right side of the puck, protecting possession, and making smart decisions.
He started Tuesday’s game on the top line but finished it alongside Boone Jenner and Miles Wood on the fourth. That trio might not be flashy, but it clicks.
“They think the same way,” Lundestrom said. “They’re both good skaters and play a simple game. We understand each other.”
That understanding is exactly why Bowness feels comfortable moving Lundestrom around. He’s not just filling gaps-he’s adding value wherever he lands.
Foligno’s Steady Hand Still Felt in Chicago
Nick Foligno’s return to Columbus always brings a bit of nostalgia. But now, as a veteran presence on a young Blackhawks team, his role has evolved. He’s the mentor, the steady voice in the room, and a key figure in the development of Chicago’s next wave-including Connor Bedard.
“He brings unreal perspective,” said head coach Jeff Blashill. “He’s like a papa bear to our young players. He’s an extension of the coaching staff in a lot of ways.”
Foligno hosted the team at his Columbus home on Tuesday-a small gesture, but one that speaks volumes. Whether it’s in the locker room or around the dinner table, he’s still leading. And while his jersey may have changed, the leadership hasn’t.
Around the Rink
- Jet Greaves will get the start in net Wednesday night against Chicago. He’s a perfect 4-0-0 under Bowness, and a win would push that to 5-0-0. Quietly, he’s becoming a reliable option between the pipes.
- Kirill Marchenko skated in the morning session. His availability will be confirmed at warmups, but signs point to him suiting up against the Blackhawks.
- Columbus will hold an Olympic sendoff Wednesday night for Zach Werenski and Elvis Merzlikins, both of whom are set to represent their countries on the international stage.
Final Word
With one game left before the Olympic break, the Blue Jackets are hitting their stride. The pieces are falling into place-from the blue line to the crease to the bottom-six forward group. Bowness has this team playing with purpose and cohesion, and Wednesday night offers one more chance to lock in momentum before the pause.
A win over Chicago wouldn’t just be another two points-it would be a statement. That this team, under Bowness, is starting to believe in what it can be.