by The Columbus Blue Jackets have kicked off a three-game win streak after naming Rick Bowness as their new head coach. The Blue Jackets took on the Calgary Flames on Tuesday, January 13, and won Bowness’ debut at Nationwide Arena. Columbus was at home again on Thursday, January 15, where they took on the Vancouver Canucks. The Jackets were on the road on Saturday, January 17, when they faced off against the Pittsburgh Penguins. After the winning streak, Columbus got bumped up to seventh place in the Metropolitan Division and is still looking to secure a wildcard spot in the playoffs.
Tuesday, January 13
The Blue Jackets took an early lead in Tuesday night’s game against the Calgary Flames when Dante Fabbro scored the first goal of the night at 3:57 of the first period with help from Zach Werenski and Charlie Coyle. Columbus was able to secure another tally when Coyle scored at 13:24, assisted by Jake Christiansen and Dmitri Voronkov, to close out the first period ahead 2-0.
Calgary managed to tie the game back up during the second period, scoring at 12:00 and 19:18. Columbus was unable to score a goal during the second frame, and the team was sent into the final intermission tied 2-2.
Zach Werenski came out into the third period hot, scoring an early goal at 4:46 with an assist from Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko. The Flames tied the game for a third time when they added a mark at 10:05, but Boone Jenner countered with an unassisted goal at 18:26. Charlie Coyle scored a last-second goal for the Jackets at 19:57 with help from Boone Jenner and Zach Werenski to end the night with a 5-3 victory.
Jet Greaves was in the net for Columbus on Tuesday and saved 29 of the total 32 shots on goal.
Thursday, January 15
After a slow start to the first period, Charlie Coyle was able to add a tally to the scoreboard when he secured a power-play goal at 17:25 with help from Kirill Marchenko and Adam Fantilli. Marchenko came out of the first intermission ready when he scored an unassisted goal at 5:49 of the second frame. Zach Werenski followed up quickly with another power-play goal, assisted by Kent Johnson at 10:14. The Canucks were able to earn their own power-play goal at 14:09 to put Columbus ahead 3-1 after the second period. Johnson scored the lone goal of the third period at 10:13 with an assist from Boone Jenner and Damon Severson to secure a 4-1 win.
Elvis Merzlikins was in goal for the Blue Jackets on Thursday night and saved 30 out of the total 31 shots on goal.
Saturday, January 17
The Blue Jackets hit the road for Saturday’s game against the Penguins. Columbus wasted no time, securing their first goal of the night at 2:42 of the first period, scored by Zachary Aston-Reese with help from Zach Werenski and Brendan Gaunce. Pittsburgh followed up with its own two goals at 9:59 and 17:52 to send Columbus into the locker room down 2-1.
Columbus took charge of the second period, with Kirill Marchenko scoring an unassisted wrist shot at 7:32. Danton Heinen scored the second goal of the period at 17:38 with help from Erik Gudbranson and Egor Zamula, to send the Jackets into the third frame up 3-2. The Penguins managed to tie the game late in the third period to force overtime.
After a scoreless overtime frame, the Blue Jackets were able to secure the win when Charlie Coyle scored in the shootout to send Columbus home with a 4-3 triumph.
Elvis Merzlikins was in the net for Columbus on Saturday and saved 29 of the total 32 shots on goal.
What’s Next
The Columbus Blue Jackets will return to Nationwide Arena on Tuesday, January 20, at 7 p.m., where they will take on the Ottawa Senators. To watch the game, tune into FanDuel Sports Network, Prime Video, or ESPN+.
Image sourced via Google Images.
