The Blue Jackets picked up their fourth win in a row last night, beating the Blackhawks 4-2 in Chicago. Here are three things that stood out to us as the team picked up two more points in the standings.
1. Elvis is back?
As last night's game went on, I have to admit that the pit of despair had returned. Again, the Jackets started strong. They dominated play for most of the first period, and got the lead late.
Charlie Coyle solved Spencer Knight with a power-play goal scored off of the rebound. It looked like Knight would be tough to solve, and in fact he was. Worse, the Blackhawks came right back, stole the momentum, and tied the game up with 2.7 seconds left in the period.
When the Jackets came out and scored twice early in the second, I was pretty concerned about the thought of this team giving up another lead. When the score became 3-1, we knew the Hawks would push back.
This season, the Jackets have blown quite a few multi goal leads. Too many. And, let's face the facts: Elvis Merzlikins is prone to giving up one bad goal in just about every game he starts.
So, it stands to reason that halfway through this game, with a two goal lead, it was concerning. But it never happened. Elvis stood strong, despite the team in front of him surrendering way too many open looks from the Blackhawks.
That leaky goal never came up. Some of it was luck, but give credit where credit is due: #90 played a good game last night.
Since Rick Bowness took over as head coach, Elvis is 4-1-0, with a .901% save percentage and just 11 goals against. That lone loss came in a game where he only played in the first period.
Folks, Elvis just might be back.
2. Charlie (makes it rain) buckets.
We mentioned in our preview yesterday that for this team to win, they needed to play grown man hockey. So, it shouldn't be any surprise that they won last night based on the strong play of their third line.
Charlie Coyle led the way with a hat trick and one assist. He scored in a variety of ways, with a power-play goal, a hard wrist shot off of a turnover, and into the empty net.
That assist was no fluke, either. He fed a wide open Mathieu Olivier high in the slot for a pretty one-timer goal that gave this team a 3-1 lead.
Charlie added 6 shots on goal, 1 hit, and went 65% in the faceoff circle last night. Which begs the big question: where would this team be without #3 right now?
His line was dominant at 5 on 5, and it's not a stretch to say that they won this game for this team.
Not only did Charlie Coyle have a hat trick and an assist tonight, his line limited the Bedard line to just two SOG in 8:13 at 5x5.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) January 31, 2026
Rick Bowness: "He has those goals, (but did) you see the job he did defensively? That's just as important. That helps us win the game." #CBJ
Don Waddell's first, and most important task during the Olympic break: get Charlie Coyle signed to an extension. At this point, I don't even care what it takes. You can't lose this player.
3. There is still a lot to learn.
Take a quick peak at the scoring chance chart from last night's game over at Moneypuck.com. The Jackets are still trying to find their way in the defensive zone.
They gave up too much last night, especially to that Bedard line. Chicago's power-play sequence in the third period nearly gave me an ulcer. I was certain that they would get this game tied up.
Give credit where credit is due. They blocked some shots. They got some saves. But, man, was it ever scary.
There is still a lot of work for Bowness to do in cleaning up the defensive zone mess left by Steve McCarthy. Since we mentioned things being done over the Olympic break, that's the big one for him.
The team will get several days to practice before returning to action. I'm hopeful that they can have their defensive zone mostly worked out when they do come back.
The Jackets have three games before that break starts, including one tonight in St Louis. If they can win two of these games, or find 4 points in another fashion, they are going to enter that break in a good spot. Fingers crossed.