The Columbus Blue Jackets made a strong start to the new year with the return of key player Zach Werenski and a decisive 5-1 victory over the Buffalo Sabres on January 3. This win marked the end of the Sabres’ 10-game winning streak, which had been under the leadership of their new general manager Jarmo Kekalainen, who took over on December 15 after spending over a decade as the Blue Jackets’ GM.

Despite ongoing issues with injuries, the Blue Jackets received a significant boost when Werenski, a first-time Olympian and star defenseman, returned to action. He had missed the past four games due to an ankle injury but quickly found his rhythm, contributing with assists on the team’s first and fifth goals.

“I just kept it simple,” Werenski said. “I haven’t played in a few weeks, so I’m shaking off some rust. The team has been playing really well lately, so I just tried to add to that.”

The first-period goals were set in motion by fourth-line center Brendan Gaunce, who regained possession three minutes into the game through aggressive forechecking. The puck was passed to Boone Jenner, who then found Denton Mateychuk, who scored the opening goal with a slap shot.

After the Sabres tied the game at 1-1 with 8:34 remaining in the first period, the Blue Jackets faced a short-handed situation. Kent Johnson was in the penalty box for hooking, but Gaunce capitalized on a breakaway goal to restore the lead.

“I believe in myself,” Gaunce said about his role in the lineup. “I know I’m an NHL player and can contribute in certain ways. I’m confident right now and excited.”

The Blue Jackets managed to kill over five minutes of penalties and added another goal before the end of the first period. Dmitri Voronkov scored by tipping in a puck during a persistent second-line shift in the offensive zone.

In the second period, the Jackets extended their lead with a goal from Mathieu Olivier. He maneuvered around two Sabres defenders and scored using the back of his stick for his fourth goal of the season.

Although the Sabres led in shot attempts, they struggled to beat goaltender Jet Greaves, who had a clean sheet in the second and third periods, making a total of 32 saves.

“The box outs were good,” Greaves said. “The penalty kill was good. I think all those details are super important for the group, and they were all great tonight.”

Leading 4-1 in the third period, the Blue Jackets played defensively and maintained their lead. A humorous moment occurred when Mason Marchment lost a blade on his skate, and he was towed back to the bench by his teammates.

Cole Sillinger sealed the victory with an empty-net goal, scoring off a pass from Mateychuk.

Danton Heinen’s Debut

Danton Heinen, a newly acquired forward, made his debut with the Blue Jackets, playing on the second line. He skated for 8:51 minutes with a +1 plus-minus rating in his first game with the team.

Heinen was part of a trade package that included draft capital, as the Blue Jackets sent forward Yegor Chinakhov to the Penguins.

Players Scratched

Two players were scratched for the game against the Sabres on January 3: Sean Monahan and Dysin Mayo. Monahan was a late scratch for “maintenance” ahead of the team’s road game against the Senators on December 28 and has yet to return to the lineup. Mayo, a defenseman, remained on the roster due to Brendan Smith’s lower-body injury but was scratched because of the return of Zach Werenski. Smith went on injured reserve on January 2.

Columbus Blue Jackets Schedule 2025-26

October
– Oct 9: @ Nashville, 2–1, Loss
– Oct 11: @ Minnesota, 7–4, Win
– Oct 13: vs New Jersey, 3–2, Loss
– Oct 16: vs Colorado, 4–1, Loss
– Oct 18: vs Tampa Bay, 3–2, Win
– Oct 21: @ Dallas, 5–1, Win
– Oct 24: vs Washington, 5–1, Loss
– Oct 25: @ Pittsburgh, 5–4 SO, Win
– Oct 28: @ Buffalo, 4–3 OT, Win
– Oct 29: vs Toronto, 6–3, Win

November
– Nov 1: vs St. Louis, 3–2, Win
– Nov 2: @ Islanders, 3–2, Loss
– Nov 5: @ Calgary, 5–1, Loss
– Nov 8: @ Vancouver, 4–3, Loss
– Nov 10: @ Edmonton, 5–4 OT, Loss
– Nov 11: @ Seattle, 2–1 SO, Win
– Nov 13: vs Edmonton, 5–4, Win
– Nov 15: vs Rangers, 2–1 SO, Loss
– Nov 17: vs Montreal, 4–3 SO, Win
– Nov 18: @ Winnipeg, 5–2, Loss
– Nov 20: @ Toronto, 3–2 OT, Win
– Nov 22: @ Detroit, 4–3 OT, Loss
– Nov 24: @ Washington, 5–1, Loss
– Nov 26: vs Toronto, 2–1 OT, Loss
– Nov 28: vs Pittsburgh, 4–3 OT, Loss

December
– Dec 1: @ New Jersey, 5–3, Win
– Dec 4: vs Detroit, 6–5 SO, Win
– Dec 6: @ Florida, 7–6 OT, Loss
– Dec 7: @ Washington, 2–0, Loss
– Dec 9: @ Carolina, 4–1, Loss
– Dec 11: vs Ottawa, 6–3, Loss
– Dec 13: vs Vegas, 3–2, Loss
– Dec 16: vs Anaheim, 4–3 OT, Win
– Dec 18: vs Minnesota, 5–2, Loss
– Dec 20: @ Anaheim, 4-3 Loss
– Dec 22: @ Los Angeles, 3-2 Win
– Dec 28: vs Islanders, 4-2 Win
– Dec 29: @ Ottawa, 4-3 Win
– Dec 31: vs New Jersey, 3-1 Loss

January
– Jan 3: vs Buffalo, 5-1 Win
– Jan 4: vs Pittsburgh, 3:00 PM
– Jan 6: @ San Jose, 10:00 PM
– Jan 8: @ Vegas, 10:00 PM
– Jan 10: @ Colorado, 4:00 PM
– Jan 11: @ Utah, 7:00 PM
– Jan 13: vs Calgary, 7:00 PM
– Jan 15: vs Vancouver, 7:00 PM
– Jan 17: @ Pittsburgh, 7:00 PM
– Jan 20: vs Ottawa, 7:00 PM
– Jan 22: vs Dallas, 7:00 PM
– Jan 24: vs Tampa Bay, 7:00 PM
– Jan 26: vs Los Angeles, 7:00 PM
– Jan 28: vs Philadelphia, 7:30 PM
– Jan 30: @ Chicago, 8:30 PM
– Jan 31: @ St. Louis, 7:00 PM

February
– Feb 3: @ New Jersey, 7:00 PM
– Feb 4: vs Chicago, 7:00 PM
– Feb 26: @ Boston, 7:00 PM
– Feb 28: vs Islanders, 6:00 PM

March
– Mar 2: @ Rangers, 7:00 PM
– Mar 3: vs Nashville, 7:00 PM
– Mar 5: vs Florida, 7:00 PM
– Mar 7: vs Utah, 7:00 PM
– Mar 10: @ Tampa Bay, 7:00 PM
– Mar 12: @ Florida, 7:00 PM
– Mar 14: @ Philadelphia, 7:30 PM
– Mar 17: vs Carolina, 7:00 PM
– Mar 19: vs Rangers, 7:00 PM
– Mar 21: vs Seattle, 5:00 PM
– Mar 22: @ Islanders, 7:00 PM
– Mar 24: @ Philadelphia, 7:00 PM
– Mar 26: @ Montreal, 7:00 PM
– Mar 28: vs San Jose, 5:00 PM
– Mar 29: vs Boston, 5:00 PM
– Mar 31: vs Carolina, 7:30 PM

April
– Apr 2: @ Carolina, 7:00 PM
– Apr 4: vs Winnipeg, 7:00 PM
– Apr 7: @ Detroit, 7:00 PM
– Apr 9: @ Buffalo, 7:00 PM
– Apr 11: @ Montreal, 7:00 PM
– Apr 12: vs Boston, 6:00 PM
– Apr 14: vs Washington, 7:00 PM