The Columbus Blue Jackets rolled into the Olympic break as the NHL’s hottest team, and they did it with a blend of speed, structure, and timely goaltending that’s suddenly got people paying attention in Columbus. But while their recent 4-0 win over Chicago capped off a strong stretch, Head Coach Rick Bowness made it clear - this team isn’t a finished product just yet.
Playing Fast - But Not Loose
One of the biggest challenges for the Blue Jackets right now is balancing their speed with control. They’ve been flying up the ice, generating offense off the rush - and when it works, it’s electric.
But when it doesn’t? It’s often going the other way in the form of an odd-man rush.
This is where puck possession becomes critical. Too many of their zone entries have ended with a dump-in, a quick change, and a lost opportunity.
It’s not that the Jackets lack speed - quite the opposite. According to NHL EDGE IQ, they’re among the league’s best in high-speed bursts, with 71 bursts over 22 mph and 1,147 over 20 mph at the time of Bowness’ arrival on Jan.
- That kind of pace can be a weapon - but only if it’s paired with control.
Kirill Marchenko has been the biggest beneficiary of that speed, racking up 11 goals off the rush - second only to Connor McDavid. That’s elite company.
But for Columbus to keep climbing, they’ll need to turn those rushes into extended zone time. The best teams don’t just attack in waves - they sustain pressure, grind out shifts, and wear down defenses.
The “Bowness Bump” Is Real - Especially on Defense
Since Bowness took over, the Blue Jackets have found a new defensive identity - and it’s paying off. Back-to-back shutouts heading into the break weren’t a fluke.
This team has tightened up structurally, and that’s showing up in the numbers. According to HockeyStats.com, Columbus is sitting around the middle of the pack in goal differential above expected - a sign that while the offense has been steady, the defense is catching up.
That defensive structure has been the backbone of this recent surge. When the Jackets are dialed in, they’re limiting high-danger chances and giving their goaltenders a chance to shine. And shine they have.
Greaves, Merzlikins Delivering in Tandem
The goaltending duo of Elvis Merzlikins and Jet Greaves has been lights out. Greaves, in particular, has quietly put together one of the best statistical runs in the league.
Among NHL goalies with 40+ starts since the beginning of the 2024-25 season, only Andrei Vasilevskiy (.921) and Connor Hellebuyck (.917) have posted better save percentages than Greaves (.915). That’s elite territory.
And under Bowness? Both netminders have been nearly flawless.
Merzlikins is 5-1-0 with a .925 save percentage, a 2.03 goals-against average, and a shutout. Greaves has gone a perfect 5-0-0, with a .924 save percentage, a 2.12 GAA, and two shutouts of his own.
Bowness knows he’ll need both guys down the stretch, especially with a heavy schedule ahead. “We have a lot of back-to-backs coming up,” he said. “We will need both of these guys a lot.”
The goaltending has been there. Now it’s about making life a little easier for them - tightening up shot angles, clearing rebounds, and continuing to limit breakdowns in front of the crease.
Time for the Top Line to Step Up
Offensively, the Blue Jackets have seen a jump in production under Bowness - but not from the players you’d expect. The top line of Marchenko, Mason Marchment, and Adam Fantilli hasn’t quite found its rhythm yet.
It’s not for lack of effort. The trio has been generating chances, controlling play, and forcing opponents to defend deep in their own zone.
But the finishing touch has been missing. Marchment started the season on fire, but has cooled off.
Marchenko, despite his rush goals, needs to keep firing. And Fantilli?
He’s doing everything but score. With just one goal and 13 assists in his last 23 games, he’s been snakebitten - hitting more than a few posts along the way.
The good news? The pressure is there.
The line is doing the right things. And if they keep at it, the goals will come.
But for the Jackets to keep this momentum rolling after the break, they’ll need their top line to lead the way - not just create chances, but finish them.
Post-Break Challenge: Bruins and Islanders Await
The Olympic break gives Columbus a moment to breathe - but only briefly. When they return, they’ll face the Boston Bruins and New York Islanders, two playoff-positioned teams with something to prove. These are the kinds of games that test whether a hot streak is just that - a streak - or the beginning of something more.
If the Blue Jackets can continue to blend their high-end speed with better puck control, maintain their defensive structure, and get their top line clicking, they’ll be more than just a fun team to watch - they’ll be a serious problem for anyone standing in their way.
The road back starts February 26 in Boston. Buckle up.