The Blue Jackets are heating up at just the right time - and Tuesday night in Newark, they showed exactly why they're becoming a team nobody wants to face. With a 3-0 win over the New Jersey Devils, Columbus extended its win streak to six games, and did it with a blueprint that should have Rick Bowness grinning ear to ear.
A Game of Patience, Then Execution
Let’s be honest - through two periods, this one wasn’t winning any beauty contests. Outside of a disallowed goal by Danton Heinen, the action was choppy and uneventful. But that’s exactly how the Blue Jackets wanted it.
They kept things tight, clogged up the middle, and made life miserable for the Devils in transition. Call it boring if you want, but on the road, that kind of disciplined hockey is how you stack wins in February.
The Jackets leaned into structure and waited for their moment. When the third period rolled around, they pounced.
Columbus outshot New Jersey 13-7 in the final frame and outscored them 3-0. That’s how you close out a road game - with poise, pressure, and a little bit of opportunism.
Breaking the Ice, Blue Line Style
The breakthrough came courtesy of defenseman Dante Fabbro, who found himself in the right place at the right time. After Kent Johnson’s shot got tangled in traffic, the Devils tried to clear the puck from the slot - but it went straight to Fabbro.
He didn’t hesitate, firing a low shot through the congestion and into the back of the net. It was a gritty, broken-play goal, but it counted all the same and gave Columbus the lead they’d been waiting for.
From there, the Jackets didn’t sit back. They stayed aggressive in the neutral zone, and it paid off.
A Thing of Beauty from Olivier
The second goal was the highlight of the night - and it started with a defensive stop. Ivan Provorov broke up a Devils rush at the blue line, Boone Jenner cleaned up the loose puck along the boards, and Cole Sillinger made a smart, composed play to enter the zone and draw in a defender. That gave Mathieu Olivier just enough space to work his magic.
And Olivier delivered. He pulled off a slick move and buried a gorgeous goal past Jacob Markstrom to make it 2-0.
That one didn’t just pad the lead - it deflated the Devils. From that point on, the outcome felt inevitable.
Olivier would seal it with an empty-netter later, giving him two on the night and the Jackets a well-earned shutout win.
Three Big Takeaways
1. This Looked Like Rick Bowness Hockey
For the first time since the coaching change, Columbus played a full 60 minutes of the kind of hockey Bowness is known for. Tight gaps, layers of support, and a commitment to defense that extended to every line and pairing.
Yes, the Devils had a few chances - a couple of posts, some decent shifts in the offensive zone - but the Jackets never let them get comfortable. They limited high-danger looks, protected the slot, and made sure Elvis Merzlikins didn’t have to stand on his head to keep them in it. That’s a major shift from earlier in the season.
And in transition, it was all about smart, simple puck movement. No one was cheating for offense.
The passes were crisp and short, and the exits were clean. That’s how you play winning hockey in February.
2. Elvis Merzlikins Looks Reborn
There’s no sugarcoating how rough things had gotten for Elvis over the past couple of seasons. But under Bowness, he’s starting to look like the goalie Columbus believed in. Last night, he stopped 2.16 goals above expected - a stat that tells you he wasn’t just solid, he was sharp.
Since the coaching change, Merzlikins has posted a .910 save percentage and a 5-1-0 record. That’s not just a hot streak - it’s a trend.
And maybe just as important as the numbers is the body language. He looks confident again.
Engaged. Even joyful.
After the final horn, his teammates mobbed him with a celebratory hug - and you could see it in his face. That’s a guy who feels like he’s part of something again.
3. Cole Sillinger Is Thriving
If there’s one player who’s clearly taken the coaching change to heart, it’s Cole Sillinger. Over his last five games, he’s posted five points and a +6 rating. But those numbers only tell part of the story.
Last night, Sillinger was everywhere. He was relentless on the forecheck, smart in transition, and responsible in his own end.
And his assist on Olivier’s goal? That was a high-IQ play, buying time at the blue line and drawing the defender just enough to open up the lane.
This is the version of Sillinger fans have been waiting to see since his rookie year - confident, physical, and playing with purpose. Right now, he might be the most improved player on the roster.
Looking Ahead
With the win, Columbus stays within striking distance of the New York Islanders in the standings - just four points back with two games in hand. And they won’t have to wait long for their next test. The Jackets are back on home ice tonight against the Chicago Blackhawks before heading into the Olympic break.
If they can keep this level of play going, the second half of the season could get very interesting. For now, though, the message is clear: the Jackets are buying in, and it’s starting to show on the scoreboard.