| 1 | 2 | 3 | F | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
 |
0 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
|
CBJ GOALS: |
||||
Dmitri Voronkov and Luca Del Bel Belluz combined for five points as the Columbus Blue Jackets kicked off their preseason with a 4-1 win over the St. Louis Blues at Nationwide Arena.
Brendan Gaunce got the scoring started for the Blue Jackets with a goal at 2:41 of the second period. Later in the middle frame, Del Bel Belluz made it 2-0 before the Blues would chip into the lead and make it a 2-1 game entering the third period.
Voronkov would extend the Columbus lead to 3-1 with just 2:29 left in the game. It was Voronkov's third point of the night and the second for Del Bel Belluz', who picked up the primary assist.
Mathieu Olivier added an empty-net goal.
Here are three things from Columbus' first action of the 2025-26 campaign:
Thing 1: New-Look Voronkov Shines
Head coach Dean Evason challenged Voronkov to get into better shape this summer. If Sunday was any indication, the Big Boss has accepted Evason's challenge.
"I'll be honest with you, we told him 'you're not going to play if you come in not in good shape' and he did, and he's committed," said Evason. "His pace is real good, not only in the game here tonight but throughout practice."
Voronkov assisted on Gaunce's opening goal and Del Bel Belluz' tally later in the period before sealing the game with a goal in the final minutes of what had been a one-goal game at the time. He was on ice for a total of 17:43, leading the team in power-play time on ice with 2:41 and seeing an additional 1:28 on the penalty kill.
BIG BOSS DELIVERED
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) September 21, 2025
CBJ x @FanaticsBook pic.twitter.com/D6NnuZxcM0
"He's conducting himself extremely well, setting himself up for the season," said Evason.
Voronkov was named the game's First Star of the night.
Thing 2: Luca Del Bel Belluz Pushing For Roster Spot
Voronkov wasn't the only one challenged by Evason this summer. Del Bel Belluz, who played 15 games with the Blue Jackets last season and had eight points but was eventually sent back to the AHL's Cleveland Monsters, worked on bulking up during the offseason in an effort to make the club out of camp this season.
Did it pay off?
"I definitely feel stronger on my feet and a little faster," said Del Bel Belluz.
Del Bel Belluz scored with just under five minutes left in the second period and added an assist on Voronkov's goal, but the 21-year-old knows that making the roster will require more than getting into the scoring column.
"I'm just trying to go out there and show what I can do," said Del Bel Belluz. "They want to see me play hard on pucks and win battles and skate hard and play with pace."
"I'm trying to do that and then obviously if the offense comes, great."
DEL BEL DOES IT! OUR SECOND OF THE NIGHT
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) September 21, 2025
CBJ x @FanaticsBook pic.twitter.com/8jCMA2rBiI
Thing 3: Newly-Acquired Fedotov Looks Sharp In Columbus Debut
Ivan Fedotov, acquired just over a week ago from the Philadelphia Flyers, stopped 14 of 15 shots faced in 40 minutes of action in Sunday's win. The Blue Jackets made no secret this summer that they wanted an insurance policy between the pipes with NHL experience, which Fedotov offers. Seeing him look comfortable in the union blue sweater had to feel good for Columbus, with Fedotov expected to fill the roll of the organization's third goalie.
"Felt pretty good," said Fedotov of his Blue Jackets' debut, before deferring credit to the rest of the team.
"The guys played well in front of me."
Up Next:
There's a lot of preseason hockey coming up — the Blue Jackets will host the Buffalo Sabres at 7:00 p.m. Monday before traveling to Buffalo for a Tuesday night contest, and that's followed by a third game in four nights at Nationwide Arena on Wednesday when the Pittsburgh Penguins are in town.
