CBJ 4, OTT 1: Greaves Shines, Four Different Blue Jackets Score As Columbus Picks Up Third Straight Win

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CBJ GOALS:  Jenner (1st, 15:58) Severson (2nd, 1:21) Mateychuk (3rd, 1:55) Marchenko (3rd, 15:54)

The most impressive win of the season?

Jet Greaves made 27 saves on 28 shots, and four different Columbus Blue Jackets scored en route to a 4-1 victory Monday night over the Ottawa Senators.

The game was delayed by thirty minutes as a result of Columbus having trouble making it to the Canadian capital. The Blue Jackets team plane didn't land until just before 4:00 p.m. and didn't arrive at the Canadian Tire Centre until just before 5:00 p.m. 

That prompted league officials to move the 7:00 p.m. puck-drop to 7:30 p.m., allowing Columbus just enough time to get settled before taking the ice.

Even on the second leg of a back-to-back, the Blue Jackets just kept moving.

"The circumstances coming in weren't really in our favor," said Denton Mateychuk, who scored in the win. "(But) we didn't let that be an excuse. We came, and we played our game for 60 minutes, and we got the two points."

Boone Jenner got the scoring started for Columbus with his sixth goal of the season and the game's only opening period tally.

The Blue Jackets extended their lead to 2-0 just over a minute into the second with a Damon Severson rip. Ottawa would answer with a goal later in the period, but the Blue Jackets would take a one-goal lead into the third period.

Mateychuk provided a critical insurance goal in the opening minutes of the third before Kirill Marchenko would put Columbus up 4-1 in the final five minutes of the contest.

It was the third straight game in which Marchenko has found the back of the net.

Greaves, making starts on back-to-back days for the second time this season, came up big throughout the night. Included in that were saves on all 11 of Ottawa's third-period shots, helping to cement another strong effort in what has been a weakness for Columbus throughout most of the season: the final 20 minutes.

"We piggy-backed off the third period last night," said head coach Dean Evason. "The guys recognized how we were able to separate last night and the way that we played in that third period (Sunday night), we started that way (Monday night) and fortunately continued it right through for 60 minutes."

Here's how the Blue Jackets made it three straight in the win column for just the second time this season:

1st Period:

(15:58 — CBJ Goal): Jenner gets the goal, but Sillinger makes it happen. Ottawa's clearing attempt goes awry, and Sillinger tracks it down in the corner. Once he collects the puck and sees Jenner charging into the low slot, Sillinger makes a perfect pass, and Jenner tips it past Ottawa goalie Leevi Merilainen to make it 1-0 Blue Jackets.

Boone Jenner puts the #CBJ up 1-0 but Cole Sillinger makes it all happen. Tracks down a loose puck, then finds the captain to give the Blue Jackets a lead late in the first.pic.twitter.com/2Rpbq6T9YX

— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) December 30, 2025

2nd Period:

(1:21 — CBJ Goal): Columbus goes up 2-0 just over a minute into the second on a 96.3 mph shot from Severson. Miles Wood enters the zone as he receives a pass from Sillinger and briefly delays before seeing Severson come trailing in from the point. He tees up and launches a slapper past Merilainen to double the lead, and in the process, gets off the hardest shot for a goal this season for the Blue Jackets.

on the third goal of the season from Damon Severson. Blink and you'll miss it it was 96.3mph off the stick. Yowza.pic.twitter.com/i9Z9heRl5P

— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) December 30, 2025

(8:16 — OTT Goal): Jake Sanderson puts the Sens on the board for the first time near the midway point of the second. Tim Stützle gets a cross-ice pass to Sanderson and, with the assist, extends his point streak to ten games.

Jake Sanderson puts the #Sens on the board with his eighth goal of the season! pic.twitter.com/2ksCqcTYqS

— Ottawa Senators (@Senators) December 30, 2025

3rd Period:

(1:55 — CBJ Goal): A big-time goal in the opening two minutes of the third. Mateychuk fires a wrister from the high slot, and with plenty of traffic between him and Merilainen, the Sens goalie can't see it as it pings off the post and in to give the Blue Jackets a 3-1 lead.

Denton Mateychuk with a big goal early in the third to extend the #CBJ lead to 3-1. Damon Severson and Charlie Coyle get the assists, giving both players a two-point night.pic.twitter.com/p8AMVCWRTI

— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) December 30, 2025 

(15:54 — CBJ Goal): Marchenko puts the final touches on Columbus' third straight win with his 14th goal of the season. Adam Fantilli moves the puck up the ice and into the Ottawa zone, drawing the attention of two Senators defenders. He slides the puck to Mason Marchment, who immediately goes across the ice to Marchenko for the shot and the goal.

A thing of beauty from all parties involved here. Fantilli and Marchment get the assists on Marchenko's 14th goal of the season, putting the #CBJ up 4-1.

It's also the third straight game that #86 has found the back of the net.pic.twitter.com/OBGzBC57CQ

— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) December 30, 2025

Stat Chat:

• This was the 82nd career game for Mateychuk, giving him one full season of NHL games played. With the goal, his "full season" stats: 11 goals, 19 assists, 30 points.
   
• This is the first time this season that the Blue Jackets have allowed two or fewer goals in three consecutive games — and they've done it without Zach Werenski.
   
• It was another banner night for the Columbus penalty kill, keeping Ottawa off the scoreboard on all four of their attempts. The Blue Jackets' PK has now killed off 14 straight over their last four games.

Up Next:

The final game of the 2025 calendar year is on Wednesday when the Blue Jackets face the New Jersey Devils in a home tilt. Puck-drop is set for 7:00 p.m.