It wasn’t always pretty, but the Blue Jackets’ 5-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night at Nationwide Arena still provided some beautiful memories.
The Jackets resumed what’s already been a special hockey season in Columbus with a strong start and finish to a game they needed to win to keep pace in a tightly packed playoff race in the Eastern Conference. Here are four takeaways:
Zach Werenski picks up where he left off for Columbus Blue Jackets
The sting of the United States’ 3-2 overtime loss to Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game Thursday was impossible to miss when Zach Werenski met with reporters two days later. He was mostly stone-faced, gave eloquent thoughts through monotone words and looked a bit spent emotionally after spending two weeks excelling in a tournament he described as, “the most fun I’ve had playing hockey.”
Never overstate the power of a good nap, though.
After a marathon afternoon snooze, Werenski returned to a sold-out arena and did what he’s done for the Blue Jackets all season. Despite assessing his game as, “a little sloppy,” Werenski increased his team-high scoring total to 62 points with his 18th goal plus two assists on goals by Kent Johnson.
Werenski’s first assist extended his franchise-record home point streak to 22 games, moving him into a tie with Phil Housley (1991-92) for the third-longest such streak by an NHL defenseman. His breakaway goal in the third broke the game open by giving Columbus a 4-1 lead. After collecting the puck, Werenski skated by his former defensive partner Seth Jones.
He finished the play with a quick deke to a forehand wrist shot that cleanly beat goalie Petr Mrazek.
“(I spent) a lot of energy the last couple weeks,” Werenski said. “I slept good (Friday) night, and I napped hard (Saturday). I napped forever it felt like, but we’re in a good spot here (for a playoff chase), so once I got to the rink, I was ready to go, and I dialed in.”
Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson energized after NHL break
Johnson put only two shots on net, but both beat Mrazek for Johnson’s 18th and 19th goals of the season. The first was scored 5-on-5 and the second capped a power play for a 2-0 lead early in the second period.
The goals were also Johnson’s 37th and 38th points in 43 games, moving him within two of tying his career-high of 40 points in 79 games two years ago as a rookie. Johnson skated with Cole Sillinger and Boone Jenner in the Blue Jackets captain’s season debut, and they showed some chemistry despite committing a couple of turnovers that made coach Dean Evason wince.
Johnson’s goals set new single-season highs for him and put the high-skill right wing on pace for 30 goals in 68 games after missing 14 games early with a shoulder injury. Johnson’s line was also matched up quite a bit against young Blackhawks star Connor Bedard, who’s one of his closest friends.
“I love it,” Johnson said. “I was hoping for the matchup. I don’t think it was every shift, but we definitely had it a lot. It was fun. I love playing against him. Obviously, it’s a tough challenge, but it was good.”
Elvis Merzlikins impresses during interesting night in Columbus Blue Jackets’ net
Elvis Merzlikins is emerging as one of the Blue Jackets’ most consistent players, which is exactly what they’ve needed him to be while multiple key players missed time with injuries.
Jenner (shoulder), Kirill Marchenko (jaw) and Dante Fabbro (concussion) all returned to action Saturday night and Merzlikins just continued his solid play with a 27-save performance for the goaltending win.
It didn’t happen without some classic Merzlikins moments, including a decision to skate far out of his net to play a loose puck followed by a scramble late in the third that left his backside cold and stinging. Playing the puck near the Blue Jackets’ bench required a race to get to it ahead of a Blackhawks player, which led to Merzlikins making a leaping catch like a baseball player at the outfield wall.
Ignition, full power and LIFTOFF! 🚀#CBJ pic.twitter.com/4oEHlMO7tZ
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) February 23, 2025
His run-in with a goal post during the scramble in the third happened with the Blackhawks pressing while down two goals. Justin Danforth landed on top of his own sprawled goalie in the Blue Jackets’ crease, which left Merzlikins in some pain after getting up.
“I’ve got to go check with the doctors, but I felt my neck and then I got the post in my butt,” Merzlikins said, laughing. “It didn’t feel good. I’ll tell you that. I literally felt the post between my cheeks, so … it didn’t feel good. It was cold, as well, so it wasn’t good. It hurt. It honestly hurt. It’s a weird question (to answer), but I’m honest.”
Columbus Blue Jackets, Chicago Blackhawks fans provided special memory on first birthday for Johnny Gaudreau’s son
Johnny Gaudreau’s wife, Meredith, attended the game along with their two young children, Noa and Johnny. The young Johnny Gaudreau celebrated his first birthday Saturday, which the Blue Jackets had a sellout crowd of 18,809 help the family celebrate with a touching rendition of “Happy Birthday” sung to him during a TV stoppage in the first period.
The young Gaudreau was held aloft by a family member as the crowd sang the words, filling the arena with emotion and quite a few tears.
Join us in wishing a very special boy a very special 1st birthday!
Happy birthday, Baby Johnny ❤️ pic.twitter.com/nKYaKq94V1
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) February 23, 2025
It’s been almost six months since Blue Jackets star Johnny Gaudreau was killed along with his brother, Matthew, when they were struck by a vehicle as they rode bicycles together Aug. 29 in Salem County, New Jersey. Many tributes and memorials have since followed, including one Saturday that made a packed house sing in unison. It was a special, touching moment.
“We weren’t working,” Evason said of the Blue Jackets’ bench during that stoppage. “We were watching. Hard not to lose your composure, but way more happy thoughts. We’ve talked about our crowd and our fans, and it’s just incredible. Obviously, for the organization, but for the fans to recognize and do that, it was very special. To see Meredith and her kids, it was hard to see her. It was emotional, but I think she felt the happiness that we all did, as well.”
