Hockey is a funny game. You’ve got the Columbus Blue Jackets, a team that feels like it’s been rebuilding since the beginning of time, and the Vancouver Canucks, who fluctuate between "Stanley Cup dark horse" and "utter chaos" every other month. When you see Columbus Blue Jackets vs Canucks on the schedule, it might not scream "rivalry of the century" like a Bruins-Habs game does. But honestly? These two teams have a weird habit of putting on some of the most bizarre, high-scoring, and statistically improbable games in the NHL.
Take their most recent meeting on January 15, 2026. If you just looked at the score—a 4-1 win for Columbus—you’d think it was a routine Tuesday night. It wasn't. It was the night the Rick Bowness era in Columbus officially started to feel real. It was also the night the Canucks' losing skid hit a staggering nine games.
The Rick Bowness Effect in Columbus
Columbus fired Dean Evason just days before this matchup. They brought in Rick Bowness, a guy who knows more about NHL locker rooms than almost anyone alive. The change was instant.
Under Bowness, the Jackets aren't just playing; they’re "hunting the puck." That’s how Kirill Marchenko described it. Against Vancouver, Marchenko was a man possessed. His goal at 5:49 of the second period was basically a highlight reel on repeat—he outmuscled Marcus Pettersson, danced through the slot, and ripped one past Kevin Lankinen.
Why the 4-1 Score is Deceptive
While Columbus walked away with the win, the underlying numbers tell a story of a team finally learning to hold a lead. For years, the Blue Jackets have been the team that collapses in the third period. Fans in Nationwide Arena usually spend the final ten minutes gripping their armrests. Not this time.
Columbus entered the third with a 3-1 lead. In the past, they would have retreated into a "shell," inviting Vancouver to pelt them with shots. Bowness told them to keep attacking. They did. Kent Johnson's goal at 10:13 of the third didn't just add insurance; it proved that the "old Columbus" might finally be dead.
Vancouver’s Mid-Season Identity Crisis
What’s happening in Vancouver? Honestly, it’s hard to watch. This is a team with Quinn Hughes and Elias Pettersson—two of the most gifted players on the planet—yet they haven't won a game in the 2026 calendar year.
The loss to Columbus marked their ninth straight defeat. That’s a 0-7-2 stretch that has seen them drop to the very bottom of the NHL standings. Brock Boeser finally snapped a 22-game goalless drought during the game, but even he looked miserable afterward. "It doesn't feel that good because of the result," he told reporters. You could hear the exhaustion in his voice.
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The Canucks' power play, which should be a lethal weapon, went 1-for-2, but their penalty kill was non-existent. They allowed two power-play goals to Columbus. If you can't kill a penalty against a Columbus team that has struggled for offense all year, you've got deep, structural problems.
Standing Out: The Stats That Matter
When we talk about Columbus Blue Jackets vs Canucks, we have to talk about Zach Werenski. This guy is playing like a Norris Trophy candidate. His goal in the second period was his 18th of the season.
To put that in perspective:
- Werenski leads all NHL defensemen in goals.
- He is currently on a 16-game home point streak.
- He’s basically the engine that makes the Columbus transition game work.
Then there’s Elvis Merzlikins. Elvis has had a rough go lately. Before the Canucks game, he hadn't won a match since December 4. He stopped 30 of 31 shots, looking calm and—more importantly—positioned correctly. Bowness’s system prioritizes "protecting the front of the net" and forcing outside shots. It made Elvis’s job a lot easier.
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A History of "Resilience" and Chaos
If you go back to March 2025, these two teams played a game that defied logic. Columbus was down 3-0 after the first period. Vancouver looked like they were going to cruise to an easy victory. Instead, the Jackets roared back to win 7-6 in a shootout.
That game featured:
- Boone Jenner scoring twice to lead the comeback.
- Aatu Raty netting two for Vancouver.
- Dante Fabbro (now a key piece for the Jackets) putting up three points.
That’s the DNA of this matchup. It’s never over. Even when one team is skidding and the other is rebuilding, the games tend to devolve into high-event hockey.
The Roster Connections
It’s also worth noting how many players have crossed the divide. Erik Gudbranson, a cornerstone of the Columbus defense, spent years in Vancouver. He actually just returned from a 38-game hip injury in this most recent Canucks game. Seeing him back on the ice, hitting anything that moved (3 hits in 16 minutes), clearly gave the Jackets a physical edge that Vancouver couldn't match.
What This Means for Your Betting and Fantasy Strategy
If you're looking at Columbus Blue Jackets vs Canucks from a strategic perspective, there are a few "absolute truths" emerging in 2026.
1. Ride the Werenski Wave
Until his home point streak ends, you start Zach Werenski in every fantasy format. He is seeing elite power-play time and Bowness is letting him jump into the play more than Dean Evason ever did.
2. The Under is Finally Safe in Columbus
For years, betting the "Over" on Blue Jackets games was a gift. They scored a lot and gave up even more. But Bowness is a defensive specialist. The 4-1 score against Vancouver is the new template. They are limiting high-danger chances (only 13 for Vancouver compared to 21 for Columbus).
3. Vancouver is a Fade Until Demko Returns
The Canucks are currently relying on Kevin Lankinen because Thatcher Demko is out with another injury. Lankinen isn't playing poorly, but he isn't stealing games. Until Vancouver gets their Vezina-caliber goaltender back, they are a risky bet against even the lowliest teams.
The Path Forward
So, where do they go from here? For Columbus, the goal is the Wild Card. They are currently sitting at 21-19-7. They are three points clear of the Rangers in the Metro and are starting to look like a team that no one wants to play in April.
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For Vancouver, it's soul-searching time. They finished their six-game road trip without a single win. They are returning home to Rogers Arena with a fan base that is—to put it mildly—running out of patience.
The next time these two meet, don't look at the standings. Look at the coaching. Bowness has the Jackets playing "the right way." Vancouver is still trying to figure out what their "way" even is.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the Blue Jackets' neutral zone trap: Under Bowness, they are clogging the middle. If you're a scout or a hardcore fan, notice how they force the Canucks' stars to the perimeter.
- Monitor the Canucks' Trade Rumors: With a nine-game losing streak, expect some roster movement. Names like Brock Boeser or even Conor Garland might start circulating in trade talks if this doesn't turn around by the deadline.
- Follow the Werenski Streak: Check the box scores for the next Columbus home game. If Werenski hits 17 or 18 games, we are entering historic territory for a defenseman.