The Columbus Blue Jackets faced another challenging defeat on January 9, 2026, losing 5-3 to the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena. Despite taking an early 2-0 lead, the Blue Jackets were unable to maintain their advantage, marking their third consecutive loss and fourth in their last five games.
In the opening period, the Blue Jackets jumped ahead with goals from Boone Jenner and Kent Johnson, who ended a 15-game goal drought. However, the Golden Knights quickly responded, scoring five unanswered goals after the Blue Jackets’ initial success. Center Sean Monahan expressed the team’s need for greater commitment, stating, “We’ve got to find ways to win games. We know we’ve got a good team… When you do that, you know you can come back in games if you’re down, or if you have a lead, that you believe you can keep that lead.”
The Blue Jackets showcased brief flashes of offensive potential, with Jenner’s goal redirecting a shot from defenseman Zach Werenski and Monahan contributing two assists. However, their defense faltered as the Golden Knights capitalized on mistakes, leading to a dominant performance that saw them score three times in the second period alone.
After the game, Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason defended his players, insisting they are committed and working hard. “Our guys are committed. They’re working their asses off, trying to score, trying to defend,” he said. Despite these efforts, the team continues to struggle defensively, giving up critical scoring opportunities.
The loss leaves the Blue Jackets with a record of 18-18-7, placing them last in the Eastern Conference. They are now seven points behind the Buffalo Sabres for the second wild-card spot, with the prospect of qualifying for the playoffs becoming increasingly slim. The challenge grows as they prepare to face the Colorado Avalanche, who currently have the best record in the NHL at 32-4-7 and remain unbeaten in regulation at home.
As the team navigates this rough patch, players like Jenner emphasize the importance of returning to their competitive standard. “It starts with myself and the older guys on the team and dragging everybody else in,” Jenner noted. “We all have to give a little more here to (get to) that standard that we hold each other to.”
In a notable development, defenseman Egor Zamula made his debut with the team, having signed a one-year contract earlier in the week. He played alongside Dante Fabbro but ended the night with a minus-1 rating and two giveaways. Additionally, forward Mikael Pyyhtiä made his season debut in Columbus after being called up from AHL Cleveland, contributing to the fourth line for 9:27.
As the Blue Jackets look ahead, the urgency to refine their identity and improve their performance intensifies, with the hope of turning their season around before it is too late. The upcoming game against the Avalanche will be a crucial test of their resolve and ability to compete in a tough league.
