Dominant win propels Blue Jackets' streak to seven. Hear from players and coach after silencing the Blackhawks. Playoff push intensifies.
The Columbus Blue Jackets played their last game before the Olympic break last night against the Chicago Blackhawks. To no one's surprise they won in domination fashion, 4-0. This extends their winning streak to seven games, which has pushed them up the NHL standings.
They now sit just two points behind the New York Islanders for third in the Metro. And, four points behind the Boston Bruins for the last wild card spot in the East. If they can continue their strong play after the break, they have a real good shot at making the playoffs.
Before we worry about that, let's hear from some of the Blue Jackets players after last night's 4-0 win.
Columbus Blue Jackets
Rick Bowness - Head Coach
- Bowness was extremely pleased with the team’s effort and consistency, stating, “That’s how we want to play,” and noted that the group is finally starting to see the results of their hard work.
- He praised the team's composure and puck management throughout the game, especially during the 6-on-5 situation late in the third period.
- Rather than focusing on complex tactical systems, he emphasized core principles like heavy pressure on the puck, staying above the opponent, and controlling the tempo to slow the game down.
- He noted that the team had specifically practiced 6-on-5 scenarios the day before, focusing on positioning both with and without the puck, which paid off during the game.
- Bowness highlighted Charlie Coyle’s leadership and reliability, describing him as a “coach’s dream” because of his consistent effort every single shift.
- He called Jet Greaves’ performance in net “outstanding,” noting that both goalies played well in what he described as a highly entertaining 4-0 game.
- He explained that Adam Fantilli was utilized on the penalty kill primarily because of his dominance in the faceoff circle during the game.
- Bowness pointed out that Fantilli “won every one of them,” which earned him more trust and increased ice time at five-on-five as the game progressed.
Charlie Coyle:
- Coyle mentioned the team is currently playing its "best hockey" of the season and that stringing these wins together has been "huge" to get them back into the playoff mix.
- He admitted it was a "tough day" following recent team changes, but getting a win right away helped everyone feel good and reset.
- He praised the "new voice" on the bench, noting that Head Coach Rick Bowness is constantly communicating, which has helped the group acclimate quickly to his expectations.
- Coyle highlighted that while the team is winning, they are still looking for ways to "clean up" their game, which he sees as a positive sign for the group’s ceiling.
- Regarding the upcoming Olympic break, he emphasized the importance of relaxing and "getting the body right" while finding the balance to maintain their competitive edge.
- He described the post-game ceremony honoring teammates as a "pretty special thing," noting how "cool" it was to see the national flags on the ice.
- On a personal note, he reflected on the milestone of his 1,000th NHL game, saying these celebrations are much more enjoyable when you can follow them up with a big two points.
Jet Greaves:
- Greaves remained humble about his 21-save shutout, insisting that shutouts are a "team stat" and praising the group's defensive commitment.
- He noted the vibe in the locker room has been "great" since the coaching change, with everyone finally "pulling in the same direction".
- He credited his "quiet confidence" to his preparation and noted that his heavy workload in the AHL over the last few years made him mentally ready for the NHL pressure.
- Greaves highlighted the team's dedication to the small details, specifically mentioning how well his teammates are clearing traffic and limiting second-chance looks.
- He emphasized a "one day at a time" mentality, explaining that staying emotionally level has helped him stay patient against high-skill opponents.
- He expressed that having an "elite" defenseman like Zach Werenski playing in front of him makes his job much more "predictable" and easier to manage.
- Following the win, he said it was "really positive for the group" to enter the Olympic break on such a high note with a seven-game winning streak.
Zach Werenski:
- Werenski expressed that he is currently playing with a lot of "confidence" and feels like he is in a "good spot" heading into the Olympic break.
- He noted that his game has reached a "new level" since Rick Bowness took over as head coach on January 12th.
- Regarding his 20th goal of the season, which made him the first defenseman to reach that mark before an Olympic break, he focused more on the team's momentum than the individual milestone.
- He credited the team's seven-game winning streak to everyone "buying in" and playing with more consistency under the new coaching staff.
- Looking ahead to the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, he mentioned being "excited to go over there and see what I can do" while representing Team USA.
- He emphasized that the Blue Jackets have been on an "absolute heater" lately and are determined to carry that energy through the break and into the final stretch of the season.
- Werenski also highlighted the importance of Jet Greaves’ performance, noting that having reliable goaltending makes it easier for the defense to play aggressively.
Up Next: Columbus heads to the Olympic break and won't play again until February 26th. Zach Werenski and Elvis Merzlikins will head to Italy to represent the U.S. and Latvia that starts next week.
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