Blue Jackets Ride Balanced Effort, Power Play Surge to 4-1 Win Over Canucks
The Columbus Blue Jackets put together one of their most complete performances of the season on Thursday night, rolling to a 4-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks at Nationwide Arena. It was a night that saw the power play clicking, key contributors stepping up, and Elvis Merzļikins delivering a much-needed win between the pipes-his first since December 4 against Detroit.
Let’s break it down.
Power Play Comes Alive
Columbus didn’t just win-they did it with authority on special teams. The Jackets went a perfect 2-for-2 on the power play, marking the second time this season they've been flawless on multiple man-advantage opportunities.
Even more encouraging? They’ve now scored on the power play in three straight games, going 5-for-9 over that stretch.
That’s a 55.5% clip-elite territory for any team, let alone one that’s been searching for consistency all year.
Zach Werenski and Charlie Coyle both cashed in on the man advantage. Werenski, in particular, has been on a tear at home.
His power-play goal extended his scoring streak at Nationwide Arena to 16 games-second-longest in franchise history-racking up 12 goals and 18 assists in that span. He’s not just quarterbacking the power play; he’s driving the offense.
Coyle Keeps Climbing
Charlie Coyle opened the scoring with his 10th goal of the season, extending his goal streak to three games. He was all over the ice, tying a career-high with eight shots on goal.
That tally also puts him just one goal shy of the 200 mark for his career. He’s been consistent against Vancouver, too-now with 19 points in 34 career games against the Canucks, including eight in his last eight home matchups.
Marchenko’s Hot Hand
Kirill Marchenko continued his impressive run, notching his 17th goal of the season and adding an assist for his seventh multi-point game. He’s now riding a three-game point streak and has collected points in 10 of his last 12 outings.
Against Vancouver, he’s been a thorn in their side, extending his point streak versus the Canucks to five games. His blend of skill and timing in the offensive zone is becoming a real asset for Columbus.
Johnson, Jenner Hit Milestones
Kent Johnson added his fifth goal of the season and picked up an assist, logging over 17 minutes of ice time in a solid two-way effort. Boone Jenner also hit a major milestone, recording the 200th assist of his NHL career.
That puts him in elite company in Blue Jackets history, joining Rick Nash, David Vyborny, and Zach Werenski as the only players to reach that mark with the franchise. Jenner’s been especially productive at home against Vancouver, with five points in his last three games at Nationwide Arena.
Merzļikins Back in the Win Column
After a rocky stretch and some time out of the lineup, Elvis Merzļikins looked sharp in net. He turned away all but one shot-the lone blemish being a Canucks power-play goal-but otherwise played a confident, composed game. Afterward, he didn’t shy away from addressing the recent coaching change, saying, “I'm mature enough, so I'm obviously happy that we have a new coach because it's new energy right now.”
That new energy is showing.
Bowness Sends a Message
Head coach Rick Bowness kept it simple postgame: “We have a good team here, and we have to keep pushing.” It’s a message that seems to be resonating.
The Jackets have now won three straight, including two in a row at home during a stretch where they’ll play six of seven in front of the home crowd. They’ve also earned points in four straight games at Nationwide Arena (3-0-1) and five of their last six (4-1-1).
Other Notables
- Adam Fantilli picked up his 18th assist of the season.
- Damon Severson added his 15th helper.
- Columbus won 47.1% of faceoffs (24-of-51).
- The Jackets registered 19 hits on the night.
- The penalty kill went 1-for-2.
Series Split with Vancouver
With the win, Columbus split the season series with Vancouver, each team winning on home ice. That continues a trend in this matchup-the home team has now won 10 straight games and 11 of the last 12 in the series.
What’s Next?
Columbus hits the road for a Saturday night showdown in Pittsburgh against the Penguins. With momentum building and the team starting to find its identity under Bowness, this upcoming stretch could be pivotal in shaping the second half of the Blue Jackets’ season.
For now, though, this was a win that felt like more than just two points. It was a statement of progress.