The Columbus Blue Jackets are heating up at just the right time, and Tuesday night’s win over the Flyers was another example of a team finding its rhythm - and its identity - as the season rolls into February.
Charlie Coyle wasted no time getting the Jackets on the board, scoring just 38 seconds into the game - the fastest goal Columbus has scored all season. That early strike set the tone for a high-energy performance in front of the home crowd at Nationwide Arena, where the Blue Jackets have been quietly building one of the more formidable home-ice advantages in the league.
Coyle wasn’t done after the opening salvo. He added an assist later in the game to notch his seventh multi-point performance of the season.
That gives him goals in back-to-back games and six in his last eight overall. Against the Flyers, he’s been especially productive throughout his career, with 22 points in 34 games - including 13 in 17 home matchups.
When Coyle’s playing with this kind of confidence, he gives Columbus a reliable presence down the middle and a spark in the opening minutes that few teams can match.
Kirill Marchenko added his 19th goal of the season and continued his strong stretch of play with points in five straight games against Philadelphia. He’s been a consistent threat lately, racking up nine points in his last eight outings. His ability to find soft spots in the defense and finish with precision has made him a go-to option in the offensive zone.
Veteran defenseman Erik Gudbranson chipped in with his first goal of the season, while Mathieu Olivier sealed the deal with an empty-netter and an assist - his third multi-point game of the year. Olivier’s physical presence is his calling card, but when he chips in offensively, it’s a huge bonus for Columbus.
Still, the Flyers didn’t go quietly. Travis Konecny, who seems to have a personal vendetta against the Blue Jackets every time he steps on the ice, recorded a hat trick - his 18th, 19th, and 20th goals of the season. He now has 38 points in 31 career games against Columbus, and his third-period surge tied the game at three, putting the pressure squarely back on the home team.
That pressure didn’t last long.
Just 1:18 after Konecny’s third goal, Sean Monahan answered with the eventual game-winner - his ninth of the year. Monahan has been red-hot lately, scoring in back-to-back games and tallying three goals in his last four.
He’s also been a Flyer killer throughout his career, with 21 points in 23 games against Philadelphia. His ability to step up in big moments is exactly what the Jackets were hoping for when they brought him in.
Elvis Merzlikins, meanwhile, turned away 24 of 27 shots to notch his ninth win of the season - and his third in his last four starts. His play between the pipes has stabilized after some early-season inconsistency, and with the defense in front of him tightening up, Merzlikins is giving Columbus the kind of goaltending it needs to stay in the playoff picture.
The Jackets are now 7-1-0 since January 11, and they’ve collected points in seven of their last eight home games dating back to January 3. That surge has vaulted them into fifth place in the Metropolitan Division with 57 points - and more importantly, they’re playing like a team that believes in its system and each other.
A few more key numbers stand out:
- Columbus has now scored first in 31 games this season, including 16 of their last 21. They’re 21-6-4 when scoring first - and 13-4-1 when doing so at Nationwide.
- They’ve scored in the opening 10 minutes in five straight games and eight of their last 10.
- The Jackets scored in all three periods for the 16th time this season - a sign of consistent pressure and offensive depth.
- The penalty kill was a perfect 5-for-5 against Philadelphia, continuing a dominant stretch at home (90.5% over the last eight games at Nationwide).
- Columbus now leads the all-time series at home, with the home team going 9-3-1 in the last 13 meetings.
Zach Werenski continues to be the engine on the back end, picking up two assists for his ninth multi-assist game of the season. He’s now recorded points in seven of his last eight games and 16 of his last 18 - a torrid stretch that’s seen him rack up 27 points in that span. Werenski’s vision and ability to jump into the play make him one of the most impactful blue-liners in the league right now.
Cole Sillinger and Adam Fantilli also kept their point streaks alive with two assists and one assist, respectively. Both young forwards are showing signs of taking the next step in their development, and their growing confidence is giving Columbus a boost down the lineup.
Kent Johnson added an assist as well, giving him points in back-to-back games against the Flyers and continuing his solid play over the last few weeks.
Special teams were a mixed bag - the Jackets went 0-for-3 on the power play, but the penalty kill more than made up for it. They also won 62.1% of the faceoffs, a strong number that helped them control possession throughout the night.
With 17 hits and 11 blocked shots, Columbus also brought the grit - the kind of effort that’s been a hallmark of their recent surge.
Next up: a Friday night trip to Chicago to face the Blackhawks. The Jackets are rolling, and if they can keep this momentum going on the road, they’ll be a team nobody wants to face down the stretch.