Another troubling third-period loss for Blue Jackets
Thursday, December 18, 2025
By Kevin Rouch
krouch@cbussports.com
Defenseman Zach Werenski (8) had both goals for the Columbus Blue Jackets in their 5-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild Thursday at Nationwide Arena. Photo: Kevin Rouch
On Tuesday, the Columbus Blue Jackets ended a five-game losing streak with an overtime win against the Anaheim Ducks. Two days later, they hosted the Minnesota Wild, testing whether they had turned a corner in a pivotable match against a team on a hot streak.
The answer came in the third period of Thursday’s contest at Nationwide Arena. The Wild scored three times, two on easy empty-netters, to win 5-2. Defenseman Zach Werenski scored both goals for the Blue Jackets. Columbus had several high-danger scoring chances from other players, but none found the net.
The Blue Jackets’ Charlie Coyle (3) checks Minnesota’s newly-acquired defenseman Quinn Hughes during the Wild’s 5-2 win at Nationwide Arena Thursday. Photo: Kevin Rouch
“It’s getting old that we keep losing. I mean, enough is enough,” said Werenski after the game, “At the end of the day, this is outrageous. I mean, we’re a good hockey team and we’re just losing games. So maybe we’re not a good hockey team.”
Head coach Dean Evason added, “We can’t allow people just to skate freely to the net. Yeah, we have to get a little harder and tougher and greasier in those areas and firmer.”
Their goaltender made some real good saves and played well. but we’ve said that a lot here as of late. So we’re either getting the hottest goalies or we’re making the goalies look really hot, right?”
Jet Greaves makes one of his 23 saves for Columbus against the visiting Minnesota Wild Thursday. Photo: Kevin Rouch
Columbus finds itself once again in last place in the NHL’s Eastern Conference, tied with the Buffalo Sabres. Despite that, the two bottom-dwellers are only five points out of a wild card playoff spot.
The Blue Jackets now head to the West Coast for two games, taking on the Anaheim Ducks for the second time in five days when they play at the Honda Center Saturday. Then, Columbus plays the Los Angeles Kings Tuesday. Both games get underway at 10:00 p.m. EST.
The Blue Jackets’ Adam Fantili (19) faces off with Minnesota’s Ben Jones during the Wild’s 5-2 victory at Nationwide Arena Thursday. Photo: Kevin Rouch