The Columbus Blue Jackets have had a horrendous stretch of games as of late. After climbing into playoff position, the team lost six consecutive games. Luckily for them, the rest of the Eastern Conference teams in the playoff picture were losing as well. But with just five games left in the regular season, they needed to start picking up some wins, or they would need to kiss the playoffs goodbye.
On Tuesday night, the Blue Jackets faced off against another playoff hungry team in the Detroit Red Wings. The Blue Jackets trailed 3-2 late, but Adam Fantilli scored the tying goal with 17 seconds remaining to force overtime. Star defenseman Zach Werenski, who had the primary assist on Fantilli's goal, scored the game-winning goal in the shootout to give Columbus the 4-3 victory.
Werenski, who had a goal earlier in the game, and the assist, increased his points total to 80. In the process, Werenski made history.
Zach Werenski third-U.S. born defenseman ever to record consecutive 80-point seasons
With his goal and assist against the Red Wings, Werenski is now just the third United States-born defenseman to recorded 80 points in consecutive seasons. The only other players to do so are Brian Leetch (1990-91 and 1991-92 seasons) and Phil Housley (1991-92 and 1992-93 seasons).
With a goal and an assist vs. Detroit, Zach Werenski has recorded 80 points this season (22-58-80, 71 GP).
— CBJ Public Relations (@BlueJacketsPR) April 8, 2026
He becomes the 5th U.S.-born blueliner in NHL history with multiple 80-point campaigns, and just the 3rd in consecutive seasons, after posting 23-59-82 in 81 GP in 2024-25. pic.twitter.com/cdsBaOE7nM
Being in the same company as Leetch and Housley, two Hockey Hall of Famers, has got to be a great feeling for Werenski. To make the accomplishment that much greater, Werenski did so in Detroit, where he grew up in Michigan and played college hockey for the Michigan Wolverines.
Werenski is having quite the season. The star defenseman is trying to bring the Blue Jackets back into the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Werenski also helped the United States men's ice hockey team win their first gold medal in the Winter Olympics since 1980.
With his play this season, Werenski is considered one of the favorites to win the Norris Trophy for the league's top defenseman. His main competition will be Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche, who has 75 points and a +29 plus/minus ration through 73 games. Werenski has a +10 plus/minus ratio and averages 26:33 of ice time, the second-most among defensemen. It will be interesting to see how voters will decide on a winner, but it will be hard to overlook Werenski's numbers and his latest historic feat.
The Blue Jackets are now just two points back of the Ottawa Senators for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference and the Philadelphia Flyers for third place in the Metropolitan Division. Werenski's heroics helped put them in that position. We'll see if his historic season will lead Columbus to a playoff berth.