Three Things: Overcoming Slow Start To Win Again, Oh Baby, Zach Werenski, Another Road Dub

By Will Chase on February 1, 2025 at 8:15 am
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) controls the puck during the third period against the Utah Hockey Club at Delta Center.
© Chris Nicoll-Imagn Images
0 Comments

The Columbus Blue Jackets win another road game.

Zach Werenski scored in overtime to lift the Columbus Blue Jackets past the Utah Hockey Club 3-2 on Friday night at Delta Center. Columbus has won three straight.

Overcoming Slow Start To Win Again

The Blue Jackets improved to 1-7 in the second half of back-to-backs this season.

Following Thursday's stellar 2-1 overtime win over the Vegas Golden Knights, the Jackets were up for a challenge for their first trip to Utah.

Utah struck first in the second period with Nick Schmaltz's (11) power-play goal — Barrett Hayton (15) and Clayton Keller (37) — 41 seconds into the frame.

Alex Kerfoot (7) scored 29 seconds into the third period to extend the 2-0 Utah lead. John Marino (5) had an assist to extend his four-game point streak (zero goals, four assists) and Keller picked up his second assist (38). Keller leads Utah in assists and points with 56.

Columbus struggled to generate many scoring chances and only had 15 shots on goal when Kirill Marchenko scored his 21st and third in four games at 6:25 of the third period to cut the deficit in half. Adam Fantilli (15) had an assist and Werenski picked up his team-leading 40th helper to add to his five-game point streak (two goals, four assists).

If you've watched this team lately, you must have believed a comeback was brewing. This team sure did.

Kent Johnson's 15th tied the game 2-2 at 11:42. He’s on a six-game point streak (three goals, four assists). James van Riemsdyk (12) and Dante Fabbro (9) assisted.

Securing the overtime point, Cole Sillinger and Werenski connected on a beautiful 2-on-0 that left Utah goaltender Karel Vejmelka guessing as Werenski scored the winner at 1:01 for his 17th. Sillinger added his 17th assist.

Oh Baby, Zach Werenski

Norris Consideration. Votes for the Hart. That's Werenski at this point.

It was just another ho-hum two-point night for Werenski, the First Star of the Night, with a goal and an assist who is anything but ho-hum with his MVP-level play.

Following 16-point months each in November and December, he waited until the last day of January to one-up himself with his 17th point in January. 

Another Road Dub

Following a third consecutive overtime win, and two straight in 48 hours on the road, the Blue Jackets are 9-14-4 away from Nationwide Arena. They've won three of their past four on the road starting with the impressive 5-1 win at the Toronto Maple Leafs on Jan. 22.

The challenge increases when they continue their four-game road trip with a stop in Dallas to battle the Stars on Sunday. Dallas is 33-17-1 and second in the Central Division.

The Jackets wrapped up a 10-3-1 month of January, tied for the fourth-best mark in the league for the month.

Star-Studden Showdown

The red-hot Blue Jackets battle one of the best in the west when they take on the Dallas Stars on Sunday, Feb. 2 at 6:00 p.m. ET.

0 Comments

CBJ 2, VGK 1 (OT): Sillinger Nets Overtime Game Winner As Merzlikins, Blue Jackets Stay Hot In Win Over Golden Knights

The Blue Jackets got another great start from Elvis Merzlikins and another heroic overtime goal — this time from a returning Cole Sillinger — as they defeat the Golden Knights 2-1.

CBJ 3, UHC 2 (OT): Werenski, Blue Jackets Overcome Two-Goal Deficit In Third To Defeat Utah In Overtime

Zach Werenski's incredible overtime play capped off a comeback win for the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night, as they defeated the Utah Hockey Club 3-2 for their third straight win.