Projected Lineup **Lines Subject to Change Before game time Dmitri Voronkov - Adam Fantilli - Kirill Marchenko James van Riemsdyk - Luca Del Bel Belluz - Kent Johnson Zach Aston-Reese - Justin Danfort

Zach Werenski had just played his worst game of the season. That’s a direct quote. He brought it up. Lounging in the lobby of Toronto’s Ritz-Carlton hotel, two games into a stretch when his ...

Defenseman Zach Werenski has been playing at another level in 2024-25, leading the Blue Jackets in scoring with 52 points (15G-37A) in 48 games. Everyone knew this season wasn’t going to be easy ...

Zach Werenski scored his 16th goal of the season, extending his home points streak to 19 games. He tied John Van Boxmeer for the 5th longest streak in NHL history. With the goal, he has overtaken Cale Makar in points by a defenseman and tied him with goals by a defenseman.

Related: Columbus Blue Jackets (51 pts) vs. Toronto Maple Leafs (62 pts) Game Preview. Projected Lineup **Lines Subject to Change Prior to gametime. Dmitri Voronkov - Adam Fantill

The four-game, six-night venture begins tonight in Manhattan, as the Blue Jackets take on the New York Rangers before heading to take on the Islanders on Monday. From there, the wheels are up to Toronto for a Wednesday meeting before the trip ends a night later with a third division game Thursday in Carolina.

Columbus is among the NHL leaders in goals allowed, so Saturday's 2-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues was a much-needed defensive showcase for the club. Goaltender Jet Greaves made 31 saves and the Jackets blocked 23 shots, holding St. Louis off the scoreboard until the final 12 seconds of the third period.

The New York Islanders (19-20-7) took over a second straight game in the second period, bowling over the Columbus Blue Jackets (22-18-7). The game finished X-1, with Bo Horvat’s second-period pair lifting the Islanders to the win.

THROUGH GAMES OF SUNDAY, JAN. 26, 2025

Elite defensive statistics should not be expected of teams that lead the league in goals allowed per game. The Pittsburgh Penguins owned that unfortunate distinction through 49 contests, giving up 3.59 goals per contest.

The Columbus Blue Jackets continue their road trip as they clash with the New York Islanders. Any win or overtime loss will extend the Blue Jackets’ point streak to eight straight games. Since I last wrote,

Kent Johnson scored for the Blue Jackets (22-18-7), who had their seven-game point streak end (6-0-1). Elvis Merzlikins made 22 saves.