Blue Jackets Push Winning Streak to Seven, Highlight Defense Scoring and Goaltending Depth
Updated (9 articles)
Seven‑Game Winning Streak Demonstrates Consistent Offensive Output Columbus defeated the Chicago Blackhawks 4‑0 on Feb. 5, extending its run to seven straight victories, after a 3‑0 win over New Jersey on Feb. 4 and a 5‑3 triumph versus St. Louis on Feb. 1 [1][2][3]. The Jackets also beat Philadelphia 5‑3 on Jan. 29, marking their third consecutive win at that point [4]. The streak places the team two points behind the New York Islanders for third in the Metropolitan Division [1].
Defensemen Lead League in Goals and Reach Historic Milestones Zach Werenski became the first defenseman to score 20 goals before the Olympic break, a first‑ever achievement for the position [1]. Columbus’ blueliners have collectively tallied a league‑high 44 goals this season, with Gudbranson’s first‑season goal marking the 39th defenseman goal, the most in the NHL [4]. These contributions have been crucial in sustaining the Jackets’ offensive surge throughout the streak [1][4].
Goaltending Depth Evident Through Consecutive Shutouts Jet Greaves recorded his second shutout of the season with a 4‑0 win over Chicago, following Elvis Merzlikins’ 3‑0 shutout against New Jersey the night before—the first back‑to‑back shutouts for Columbus since 2020 [1][2]. Greaves also posted 28 saves in the Feb. 1 victory, while Merzlikins stopped 24 shots on Jan. 29, and Dan Vladar earned his first start win that same night [3][4]. This depth has allowed the Jackets to maintain defensive stability despite rotating netminders.
Rick Bowness’ Mid‑Season Coaching Change Spurs Turnaround Since Bowness assumed head‑coaching duties on Jan. 12, Columbus has won 10 of 11 games, a dramatic improvement that underpins the current winning streak [1]. The coaching shift coincided with the team’s climb to a three‑way tie for fourth in the Metropolitan Division with 57 points as of Jan. 29 [4]. Bowness’ system appears to have unlocked both offensive creativity and defensive resilience.
Opponents Show Decline as Jackets Gain Momentum The Blackhawks have lost five of their last six games, while the Devils contend with Jack Hughes’ lower‑body injury and a disallowed goal after a successful challenge [2]. St. Louis’ goaltender Jordan Binnington has failed to win in six consecutive starts, and the Flyers suffered a lower‑body injury to Rasmus Ristolainen, further highlighting the disparity in recent form [3][4].
Sources
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WBNS: Blue Jackets Extend Winning Streak to Seven with Werenski’s Milestone and Greaves’ Shutout: Details the Feb. 5 4‑0 win over Chicago, Werenski’s 20‑goal milestone, Greaves’ shutout, and the impact of the coaching change.
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WBNS: Blue Jackets Extend Winning Streak with 3‑0 Shutout of Devils: Covers the Feb. 4 3‑0 victory, Merzlikins’ first shutout, Olivier’s two third‑period goals, and the sixth straight win.
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WBNS: Blue Jackets Defeat Blues 5-3 as Kent Johnson Records Goal and Assist: Highlights the Feb. 1 win, Johnson’s two‑point night, the fifth consecutive victory, and Greaves’ 28‑save performance.
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WBNS: Blue Jackets Defeat Flyers 5‑3, Extend Winning Streak to Three: Recaps the Jan. 29 game, early Coyle goal, Merzlikins’ 24 saves, Vladar’s first start win, and the league‑leading defenseman goal total.
Timeline
Dec 7, 2025 – The Washington Capitals defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets 2‑0, giving head coach Spencer Thompson his 100th career win in his 167th game and extending Washington’s points streak to eight games; Columbus goalie Jet Greaves makes 36 saves while the Jackets’ five‑game points streak (2‑0‑3) ends [9].
Jan 3, 2026 – The Blue Jackets snap Buffalo’s league‑leading 10‑game winning streak with a 5‑1 home win, Zach Werenski returns from a lower‑body injury and adds a secondary assist, and Columbus defensemen lead the NHL with 32 goals [8].
Jan 12, 2026 – Dmitri Voronkov scores an overtime power‑play winner (1:01) to lift Columbus 3‑2 over the Utah Mammoth, a tipped shot from Zach Werenski sets up the goal, and the Jackets prepare to host Calgary the following night [7].
Jan 16, 2026 – Columbus beats Vancouver 4‑1, with Kirill Marchenko and Kent Johnson each posting a goal and an assist, Zach Werenski adds his 18th goal on the power play, and Elvis Merzlikins records his first win since December with 30 saves [6].
Jan 18, 2026 – Charlie Coyle nets the shootout winner as the Blue Jackets edge Pittsburgh 4‑3, Elvis Merzlikins makes 29 saves, new coach Rick Bowness earns his third straight win to start his tenure, and Sidney Crosby ties Gordie Howe for fifth on the NHL’s all‑time multi‑point games list [5].
Jan 29, 2026 – Columbus defeats Philadelphia 5‑3, Charlie Coyle scores 38 seconds in and adds an assist, Eric Gudbranson records his first season goal—the league‑leading 39th by a Jackets defenseman—and the Jackets tie for fourth in the Metropolitan Division with 57 points while the Flyers head to Boston and Columbus to Chicago [4].
Feb 1, 2026 – The Blue Jackets beat St. Louis 5‑3, Kent Johnson records a goal and an assist, Damon Severson scores a late‑second‑period power‑play winner, and Jet Greaves makes 28 saves as Columbus extends its winning streak to five games [3].
Feb 4, 2026 – Columbus wins 3‑0 over New Jersey for its sixth straight victory, Mathieu Olivier scores twice in the third period, Elvis Merzlikins posts his first shutout of the season with 23 saves, and the Devils’ Jakob Markstrom makes 22 saves despite a disallowed early goal [2].
Feb 5, 2026 – Zach Werenski becomes the first defenseman to reach 20 goals before the Olympic break as the Jackets beat Chicago 4‑0, Jet Greaves records his second shutout of the season, Columbus extends its streak to seven games, and the team’s surge follows Rick Bowness’s coaching change on Jan 12, which has produced a 10‑of‑11 record and a league‑high 44 goals by defensemen [1].
All related articles (9 articles)
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WBNS (Columbus, OH): Blue Jackets Extend Winning Streak to Seven with Werenski’s Milestone and Greaves’ Shutout
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WBNS (Columbus, OH): Blue Jackets Extend Winning Streak with 3‑0 Shutout of Devils
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WBNS (Columbus, OH): Blue Jackets Defeat Blues 5-3 as Kent Johnson Records Goal and Assist
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WBNS (Columbus, OH): Blue Jackets Defeat Flyers 5‑3, Extend Winning Streak to Three
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WBNS (Columbus, OH): Coyle scores shootout winner as Blue Jackets beat Penguins 4-3
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WBNS (Columbus, OH): Blue Jackets top Canucks 4-1 behind Marchenko and Johnson
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WBNS (Columbus, OH): Dmitri Voronkov nets OT power-play winner to lift Blue Jackets past Mammoth 3-2
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WBNS (Columbus, OH): Blue Jackets end Sabres' 10-game win streak in 5-1 rout
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WBNS (Columbus, OH): Thompson earns his 100th win as Capitals blank Blue Jackets 2-0
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