Columbus Blue Jackets reclaim playoff spot while buoyed by resilience: 5 takeaways

It was the type of game that gives coaches gray hair, goalies sleepless nights and fans their moneys worth.

The Blue Jackets 7-6 shootout win over the Vancouver Canucks on Friday night at Nationwide Arena also gave them control of the last playoff spot in the NHL's Eastern Conference while simultaneously giving Dante Fabbros ticker a workout.I almost had a heart attack a couple times, the Blue Jackets defenseman said, grinning.

But it obviously makes for an exciting game.Thats vastly underselling it.After falling behind 3-0 in the first period, the Blue Jackets (33-29-9) played the rest of the game like a team whose entire season was at stake despite 11 games remaining.

They stunned the Canucks with a three-goal outburst to start the second, overcame a two-goal deficit in the third with a second three-goal surge, lost that lead in just 23 seconds and then won in a shootout before boarding a flight to Kanata, Ontario to face the Ottawa Senators on Saturday at Canadian Tire Centre.You just stay resilient, captain Boone Jenner said.

You dont want to be coming back all the time, but it says a lot about our group and how we stay resilient and stay with it.

Its a character win.

Here are five takeaways:Columbus Blue Jackets reclaim playoff spot with shootout win over Vancouver CanucksAfter downing the New York Islanders on the road Monday in a shootout, the Blue Jackets got three full days off to rest before hosting the Canucks.That was also an opportunity for the teams theyre competing with for the final playoff spot in the East namely the Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers, New York Islanders and Detroit Red Wings to create a little breathing room ahead of the Jackets or catch-and-pass them in Detroits case.

Neither of those things happened, which kept the Blue Jackets just ahead of the Red Wings and just behind the Rangers, Islanders and Canadiens who held the second wild card before Fridays slate of games.

The Jackets passed all three after Montreal lost to the Carolina Hurricanes and the Rangers coughed up a late 4-2 lead in a gutting 5-4 overtime loss to the Anaheim Ducks.All three are now tied at 75 points, one ahead of the Islanders and three ahead of the Red Wings with the Jackets clinging to the second wild card.

Saturdays games include the Blue Jackets in Ottawa, the Rangers in San Jose, the Islanders in Tampa, the Red Wings hosting the Bruins and the Canadiens idle.Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins shows grit against Vancouver CanucksBlue Jackets coach Dean Evason recently explained why he rarely replaces starting goalies, preferring instead to let them work through challenging games.

This game was a perfect example with Merzlikins.Some coaches mightve yanked him after he allowed three goals on 10 shots in the first period.

Others mightve waited until the Canucks turned a 3-3 game into a 5-3 lead with goals late in the second and early in the third.

Even more wouldve considered it after Vancouver countered Mathieu Oliviers thrilling go-ahead goal late in the third with Aatu Ratys equalizer on the next shift.Not Evason, who was rewarded for sticking with Merzlikins in a frustrating six-goal game.

The Jackets' No.

1 goalie reset his focus before OT to make four stops in five minutes of 3-on-3 plus three in a row to win the shootout on Kent Johnson's leadoff goal.

He just stays in there, Evason said.

He competes, he battles for his team, and thats what weve asked of him right from Day 1.

He does that, we get to a shootout, and I feel very comfortable with him in the shootout, thats for sure.

He should, too.

Merzlikins is 5-0 in shootouts this season.Columbus Blue Jackets escape another early deficit to edge Vancouver Canucks in shootoutThe Blue Jackets struggle to avoid trailing first in games has become more than just a passing trend.

This was the eighth straight game theyve allowed the games first goal and it's the 10th time its happened in 11 games since they downed the Detroit Red Wings on March 1 in the 2025 NHL Stadium Series outdoor matchup at Ohio Stadium.Despite also overcoming a 2-0 deficit to win Monday against the Islanders, losing games they trail first is far more common for the Blue Jackets and most NHL teams.

Theyre 9-20-4 when allowing the first goal and probably wont stay in the playoff race much longer if they dont turn that around.Yielding the first three goals against the Canucks was even more problematic.

Despite an impressive comeback from a 3-0 deficit on three straight goals to start the second, the Jackets couldnt score again before the Canucks retook the lead late in the period, 4-3, and extended it to 5-3 early in the third.Its definitely not the way you want to start games, getting down like that, but coming in after the first, honestly, we were like, Were coming back, theres no way were losing this game," Fabbro said.

"We had the belief and the resilience of the group, however you want to say it.

It never wavered tonight.

You dont want to start behind the eight ball all the time, but to know we can come back in these types of games, and these big games, is massive and a credit to everyone in this locker room sticking together and getting the job done tonight."Denton Mateychuk didn't look like a rookie in Columbus Blue Jackets' shootout win over Vancouver CanucksDenton Mateychuk played his 34th NHL game Friday against the Canucks and looked like a seasoned veteran while skating with veterans Erik Gudbranson and Zach Werenski.Mateychuk finished with a goal, assist and two points while logging 18:17 on 21 shifts, working his way up the lineup at times to skate with Werenski on the top pairing.

Mateychuk has gone through some growing pains, which almost all rookie defensemen endure, but his flashes of brilliance are impressive.Mateychuk's shot from the left point early in the second gave captain Boone Jenner an opportunity to score with a tip-in goal 34 seconds into the period, cutting the Canucks' lead to 3-1, and the rookie's own goal with a one-timer Jenner's setup in the third pulled the Blue Jackets to within 5-4.

Mateychuk also made numerous plays under pressure while showing a calm demeanor.Hes a very young hockey player that has a mature level and elevation to his game that you dont see a lot," Evason said.

"Theres no question hes been real good all year, but he was exceptional tonight.Kiefer Sherwood's breakout season for Vancouver Canucks continues in homecoming tilt against Columbus Blue JacketsKiefer Sherwood, whos from New Albany and played for the Ohio AAA Blue Jackets developmental program, is having quite a breakout season for the Canucks.

He started the game with a whopping 404 hits as the NHLs record holder for hits in a season, and Sherwood had also contributed 32 points on 17 goals and 15 assists.

Sherwood pushed those numbers even higher against the Blue Jackets with 10 hits and three assists on six shots while skating 16:40 as the Canucks right wing on the third forward line.

Former Ohio State forward Dakota Joshua skated at left wing on that line, which was centered by Raty.They combined to score two goals as a line and Sherwood also picked up a short-handed assist on a goal by defenseman Tyler Myers.

Sherwood was also booed loudly in the same building where he used to cheer for the Blue Jackets growing up.

The reason? Sherwood wasnt penalized in OT for tripping Merzlikins in the Columbus crease, which prompted a timeout for Blue Jackets athletic trainer Mike Vogt to check on the goalies condition.

Merzlikins stayed in the game, stonewalled the Canucks and spoiled the ending to Sherwoods latest homecoming.Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at [email protected] and @BrianHedger.bsky.socialGet more on the Columbus Blue Jackets with our Cannon Fodder podcast.oembed-frame {width:100%;height:100%;margin:0;border:0;}This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets retake playoff spot with resilience: 5 takeaways.

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