Blue Jackets get much-needed win, topping Anaheim in OT
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
By Kevin Rouch
krouch@cbussports.com
Jet Greaves makes a “toe” save on an Anaheim shot during the Columbus Blue Jackets’ overtime win Tuesday at Nationwide Arena. Photo: Kevin Rouch
It looked as though history might repeat itself in the Columbus Blue Jackets’ game against the visiting Anaheim Ducks Tuesday at Nationwide Arena. The Jackets had a 3-1 lead in the second period which was erased with Anaheim’s third goal with just 3:16 remaining in the third period.
The Ducks had an opportunity to win it in the waning moments of regulation when they had a breakaway, but the danger was thwarted by goalie Jet Greaves and the teams went to overtime. Adam Fantilli scored the winner carrying the puck into the Blue Jackets’ offensive zone and all the way to the net before burying the shot.
Zach Werenski, who had two goals and an assist in his 600th game for the Blue Jackets, shoots for a score against Anaheim and Columbus beat the Ducks 4-3 in overtime Tuesday. Photo: Kevin Rouch
The win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Blue Jackets and gave them two points in an Eastern Division race that remains tight throughout its entirety.
“It’s nice to be rewarded for playing hard,” said Columbus head coach Dean Evason after the game. “You can talk until you’re blue in the face about playing right and not getting rewarded. And at the end of the night, it still sucks, right? But to get two points tonight did not suck.”
Fantilli talked about going right to the goal on the winning shot rather than wait for the Columbus line change happening at the same time.
“Once I got room from (Kent Johnson), I kind of realized that the guy that was on me had been out for a minute or so at that point. So I just kind of wanted to try him with speed and see if I could get around him. And once I did, I had a one-on-one and tried to shoot through a screen.”
Dmitri Voronkov (10) waits behind the Anaheim net to make a pass during the Columbus Blue Jackets’ overtime win Tuesday at Nationwide Arena. Photo: Kevin Rouch
The Blue Jackets have a chance to gain more ground on the field when they welcome the Minnesota Wild to Nationwide Arena Thursday. The Wild are currently in third place in the Western Conference’s Central Division.
Minnesota’s roster was recently bolstered with the addition of All-Star defenseman Quinn Hughes in a trade with Vancouver. The Wild are led by Kirill Kaprizov and Matt Boldy, who both have 37 points this season. The game Thursday gets underway at 7:00 p.m.
Columbus’s Cole Sillinger challenges Anaheim goalie Ville Husso behind the net during the Blue Jackets’ 4-3 overtime win Tuesday. Photo: Kevin Rouch