The Columbus Blue Jackets knew they needed this win—desperately. Not just to boost morale, but to stay competitive in the playoff race. And they delivered, snapping their six-game losing streak with a gutsy 4-3 shootout victory over the New York Islanders.
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It wasn’t just two points in the standings, it was a step forward for Columbus. The win also marked a milestone for the team, as it was their first-ever victory at UBS Arena, finally breaking their 0-5-1 streak in that building. Now sitting at 32-29-9, the Blue Jackets are just two points behind the Montreal Canadiens for the second and final wild card spot. Their playoff hopes are alive, and the pressure is on.
Rough Start, Great Ending
Things didn’t start well for Columbus, though. Down 2-0 early, they struggled to get pucks in deep, spent way too much time stuck in their own end, and couldn’t find any rhythm. But just when it looked like another tough night, Adam Fantilli sparked the comeback late in the first period with a perfectly placed shot, cutting the deficit to 2-1. Boone Jenner took over in the second, tying the game with a clutch shorthanded goal that fired up the team.
“The first period wasn’t us at all, obviously. We weren’t playing our game, turning pucks over, losing battles. All year we haven’t accepted that, so we knew we had better and obviously the second and third were much better efforts,” said captain Boone Jenner post-game.
The Islanders grabbed the lead again with a questionable late goal in the second —Elvis Merzlikins got hit in the mask with a stick, but the officials called it a good goal after a coach’s challenge. The Blue Jackets didn’t let the frustration derail them though. Kirill Marchenko stepped up late in the third, ripping a massive slap shot to tie the game at 3-3.
With just eight seconds left in regulation, the Blue Jackets finally caught a break on a goalie interference call that went their way—justice for the earlier missed call. They took that lucky break and made it count, getting the win in the shootout after Adam Fantilli’s shootout goal in the third round.
Merzlikins Came Up Big
Merzlikins was exactly what the Blue Jackets needed last night—a steady, confident presence in goal during the important moments of the game. He stopped 30 of 33 shots in regulation and overtime, staying calm even after the controversial Islanders goal late in the second. His diving save in OT was a highlight reel moment, keeping the Blue Jackets alive and pushing the game to the shootout.
When it mattered most, Merzlikins shut the door, stopping all three of the Islanders’ attempts in the shootout to seal the win. It was his best game in a while, and it couldn’t have come at a better time for this squad.
Monahan’s Return and Faceoff Dominance
Sean Monahan wasted no time making an impact in his first game back since early January. He logged two assists and brought stability to the lineup, proving why he’s such a valuable veteran presence. Monahan’s performance in the faceoff circle was equally impressive—he won 11 of his 24 draws (46%) and played a big role in the Blue Jackets’ ability to shift momentum after a rough start. Jenner, as captain, took it to another level, winning 7 of 8 faceoffs (88%) in a dominant display. Winning 55% of faceoffs overall was huge for the Jackets, especially against the Islanders, who lead the NHL with a 54.7% faceoff success rate coming into Monday night. The Blue Jackets were outshot by the Islanders overall, but the real story was the third period, where Columbus unloaded 17 shots on goal compared to just four by the Islanders. Winning draws kept them on the attack and helped turn the tide in the game.
Monahan finished with the second-highest adjusted game score of 1.45, according to HockeyStatCards.com, only proving more of why having him back in the lineup will be huge down the stretch for this team.
“We’re happy to have Monahan back, I can tell you that. He shows up on the scoresheet, but it’s also his presence and calmness out there. Goody [Gudbranson] too—big, strong, heavy, calm leader. Both of them had their fingerprints all over this win,” said head coach Dean Evason post-game.
This wasn’t just a win—it was a breakthrough for the struggling Blue Jackets. This young Columbus team fought through a tough first period, stayed composed despite a couple of questionable calls, and capitalized on their chances when they came in the final half of the game. Adam Fantilli capped the night with a slick deke in the shootout to beat Sorokin, sealing the win after Merzlikins shut the door on all three Islanders’ shooters.
With 12 games left, Columbus is still in the thick of the playoff race. The return of veterans like Monahan and Erik Gudbranson brings leadership and depth to a team hungry to make a push. The Blue Jackets will face the Islanders one last time in their season finale on April 17 in Columbus.
In the now, though, they will be back in action Friday night at Nationwide Arena against the Vancouver Canucks, looking to keep the momentum rolling in front of the fifth line.
