Game Preview: Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Chicago Blackhawks
Tonight at 7 PM, the Columbus Blue Jackets will square off against the Chicago Blackhawks at Nationwide Arena, marking a key matchup in the NHL as each team looks to bolster their standings.
Current Standings
Currently, the Blackhawks are sitting at 21 wins, 24 losses, and 9 overtime losses, totaling 51 points and occupying the sixth spot in the Central Division. In contrast, the Blue Jackets have achieved 25 wins and 20 losses with 7 overtime losses, totaling 57 points and holding the fifth position in the Metropolitan Division.
Over the past ten games, Columbus has been particularly impressive, boasting a 7-3-0 record, whereas Chicago has struggled slightly, going 3-5-2 and suffering two consecutive losses.
Blue Jackets’ Recent Performance
The Blue Jackets enter this game riding a fantastic six-game winning streak, during which they have taken 10 of their last 11 matches. They most recently secured a victory against the New Jersey Devils, winning 3-0.
Columbus has demonstrated their prowess by outscoring opponents 42 to 26 since January 11. Their current performance has catapulted them to the top of the NHL in several statistical categories:
- Lead in wins
- Lead in points percentage (.909)
- Lead in team save percentage (.916)
- Rank second in goals allowed per game (2.36)
- Tied for sixth in goals scored per game (3.82)
- Place seventh on the power play (29.6%)
Columbus has a remarkable trend, scoring the first goal in 9 of their last 11 games. This season, they have achieved this in 33 games—tied for the fourth most in the league for the 2025-26 season. The Blue Jackets have also produced the most goals from defensemen, totaling 42, which contributes to their substantial overall points (140) collected across 55 games.
Player Highlights
As for player highlights, forward Charlie Coyle is making waves with 15 points (9 goals, 6 assists) in his last 11 games, ranking second in the NHL for goals since January 11. Additionally, both Jet Greaves and Elvis Merzlikins have each secured five wins for the team in this same span.
Boone Jenner is on the verge of a notable career achievement, just one assist shy of tying David Vyborny for third place in all-time assists for the Blue Jackets. Kirill Marchenko has also been a focal point, with points in 15 of his last 19 games, although he missed last night’s action due to illness. Defenseman Zach Werenski has had a remarkable stretch, recording assists in five straight games (totaling eight) and leading NHL defensemen in various categories this season.
Blackhawks’ Challenges
On the other side, the Blackhawks come with their own challenges, having a power play success rate of 19.5% and ranking 19th in the NHL. They rely heavily on Tyler Bertuzzi, who leads the team with 25 goals, while Connor Bedard provides support with 30 assists and 53 total points.
Historical Context
In terms of historical context, the Blue Jackets hold an all-time record of 43 wins and 46 losses against the Blackhawks, with a home record of 22 wins, 21 losses, and 8 overtime losses. Columbus has dominated recent encounters, going 7-0-1 in their last eight meetings with Chicago. Interestingly, the winning team has scored four or more goals in the last eleven games of this matchup.
Viewing Information
Fans interested in watching tonight’s game can tune in via FANDUEL SPORTS NETWORK, while radio coverage will be available on 97.1 The Fan, featuring play-by-play commentary by Bob McElligott. Updates on the Blue Jackets and NHL news can be found through various sports channels, ensuring fans are well informed leading into tonight’s face-off.
