Honestly, if you looked at the NHL standings right now, you might be tempted to keep scrolling. You see the Anaheim Ducks and the Columbus Blue Jackets and you think: "Okay, two teams in the middle of a massive youth movement." But you’d be missing the best part. When these two teams meet, the "rebuild" label goes out the window and things get weirdly intense.
It’s about the history. Or maybe it’s the draft connection.
Remember the 2023 NHL Entry Draft? That’s where this really started. The Ducks took Leo Carlsson at number two. The Jackets "settled" for Adam Fantilli at three. Since then, every single time they play, it’s a referendum on who won that draft. Fans in Ohio and Southern California are basically watching a 60-minute argument on ice.
The December Double-Header That Changed Everything
We just saw a back-to-back series in December 2025 that was absolute chaos. On December 16, they played in Columbus at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets hadn’t beaten the Ducks at home since 2017. Imagine that. Eight years of frustration.
Then Adam Fantilli happened.
The game was tied 3-3 in overtime. Fantilli caught a pass from Kent Johnson, saw Leo Carlsson—the guy picked ahead of him—coming off a long shift with heavy legs, and just turned on the jets. He blew past Carlsson, used Olen Zellweger as a screen, and ripped a wrister past Ville Husso.
💡 You might also like: Current Score of the Steelers Game: Why the 30-6 Texans Blowout Changed Everything
Four days later, on December 20, the Ducks got their revenge. A 4-3 win at the Honda Center. Pavel Mintyukov buried the winner late in the third. It’s this constant back-and-forth that makes the Anaheim Ducks vs Columbus Blue Jackets matchup one of the most underrated rivalries in the league. They don’t play often, but they play like they hate each other.
The Rosters: Experience vs. Potential
If you look at the benches, you see two very different philosophies at work.
The Ducks have leaning into "The Mentor Strategy." They’ve got Radko Gudas wearing the "C," which tells you everything you need to know about their grit. Then you have Mikael Granlund and Chris Kreider (who arrived via trade from the Rangers) providing that veteran stability. It’s a smart move by GM Pat Verbeek. You can’t just throw kids into the fire without some fireproof blankets.
On the other side, the Blue Jackets under Dean Evason feel a bit more explosive. Zach Werenski is playing some of the best hockey of his career—he hit his 600th game during that December clash. They’ve also integrated Charlie Coyle to help with the faceoff dot, which was a glaring weakness for them a year ago.
- Anaheim’s Foundation: Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, and Mason McTavish.
- Columbus’ Core: Adam Fantilli, Kent Johnson, and Kirill Marchenko.
- The X-Factors: Lukas Dostal (ANA) and Jet Greaves (CBJ) are both fighting to prove they are legitimate #1 starters.
Why People Get This Matchup Wrong
Most pundits call this a "bottom-dweller" game. That’s lazy.
📖 Related: Last Match Man City: Why Newcastle Couldn't Stop the Semenyo Surge
The reality is that both teams are currently hovering around that .500 mark in early 2026. The Ducks are roughly 21-21-3. The Jackets are sitting at 20-19-6. These aren't teams tanking for a pick anymore. They are teams trying to figure out how to win games that actually matter for a Wild Card spot.
The coaching match-up is another layer. Joel Quenneville is behind the bench for Anaheim now. He’s brought a structured, high-pressure system that didn’t exist under the previous regime. Meanwhile, Columbus is playing a much more "gutsy" style. They lead the league in comeback wins this season. You cannot count the Jackets out until the final horn sounds.
Looking at the Statistics
Let’s talk numbers, but not the boring ones.
In their head-to-head history, the games are almost always decided by a single goal. Out of their last ten meetings, six have gone to overtime or a shootout. That isn't a coincidence. It’s because both teams have young, fast defensive cores that take huge risks. Olen Zellweger for the Ducks and Denton Mateychuk for the Jackets are basically fourth forwards on the ice. It’s high-event hockey.
| Season | Results | Key Performer |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-26 | 1-1 Split | Adam Fantilli (2G, 1A) |
| 2024-25 | Ducks Sweep | Troy Terry (4 pts) |
| 2023-24 | Jackets 1, Ducks 1 | Frank Vatrano (Hat Trick) |
Wait, I said no tables, let's just stick to the narrative. Basically, the Ducks had the upper hand for a few years, but the Jackets have closed the gap significantly in 2026.
👉 See also: Cowboys Score: Why Dallas Just Can't Finish the Job When it Matters
What to Watch for in the Next Meeting
If you're watching the next Ducks vs Blue Jackets game, keep your eyes on the special teams.
The Ducks have been struggling with discipline. Ross Johnston and Radko Gudas are among the league leaders in penalty minutes. If they spend six minutes in the box against a Columbus power play that features Werenski and Laine (when healthy), they’re toast.
Also, watch the goalie battle. Lukas Dostal has been a beast for Anaheim, but he’s had a heavy workload. If Petr Mrazek gets the start instead, the dynamic changes. The Jackets have been alternating between Elvis Merzlikins and Jet Greaves. Greaves is the fan favorite right now—he’s got that "nothing to lose" energy that tends to stymie high-scoring teams like Anaheim.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans
If you're following this matchup or looking to place a wager on the next game, keep these things in mind:
- Home Ice is Lies: Don't trust the home-ice advantage here. Both teams have historically played better in the other's arena. The Ducks are surprisingly good on the road in the Eastern Time Zone.
- The Over is Your Friend: These teams combine for an average of 6.8 goals per game when they meet. Neither defense is "locked down" yet.
- The "Draft Grudge" Factor: Watch the Fantilli-Carlsson shifts. Whenever they are on the ice together, the intensity spikes.
- Injury Reports: Check the status of Frank Vatrano. He’s been out with a shoulder injury since late December. Without him, Anaheim loses a massive chunk of their "clutch" scoring.
The next time these two squads meet, don't dismiss it as a mid-week filler. It’s a glimpse into the future of the NHL. You’re watching the superstars of 2028 and 2030 find their footing in real-time.
To stay updated on the specific line combinations for the next game, check the morning skate reports from beat writers like Eric Stephens or Aaron Portzline. They usually post the confirmed starters about two hours before puck drop.