A Tale of Two Comebacks: Blue Jackets Defy Odds in Dramatic Fashion
On March 28, 2025, the Nationwide Arena bore witness to a game that'll go down as one of the most thrilling matches this season. Down 3-0 just 13:26 minutes into the first period, Columbus showcased extraordinary grit, pulling off their first comeback from such a deficit since 2016. Rallying through the second frame with three unanswered goals, the Blue Jackets leveled the game momentarily before Vancouver surged ahead once again to a 5-3 lead early in the third period.
But Columbus wasn't done. Captain Boone Jenner energized his teammates, netting a crucial power-play equalizer with just 3:14 remaining, setting the stage for a frenetic finish. What followed were three goals scored in an astonishing 45 seconds—culminating with Vancouver's Aatu Raty forcing overtime at 6-6.
Shootout Heroics: Kent Johnson Ices the Game
Ultimately, it came down to the shootout, hockey's ultimate showcase of skill under pressure. Blue Jackets' forward Kent Johnson calmly stepped onto the ice, delivering the decisive strike past Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko. At the other end, goaltender Elvis Merzlikins stood tall, denying all three Vancouver shooters to secure Columbus' hard-earned 7-6 victory.
Individual Brilliance Shines Through
Captain Jenner wasn't alone in his star effort—his two goals extended his goal-scoring streak to three consecutive games. Defender Dante Fabbro had himself a career night, contributing a goal and two assists, boosting Columbus' blue-liners' total to an impressive 44 goals this season—second-best in the NHL.
For Vancouver, rookie sensation Aatu Raty dazzled with a critical two-goal performance, while sharpshooter Brock Boeser continued his hot streak with yet another tally, marking goals in six straight games. Veteran Tyler Myers etched his name into the record books with his seventh career short-handed goal—the most by any active NHL defenseman.
Playoff Implications Intensify Down the Stretch
This gutsy performance couldn't have arrived at a better time. Columbus (75 points) now ranks alongside the Montreal Canadiens, battling neck-and-neck for the coveted final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference playoff race. Vancouver, falling to 34-26-13, missed a golden opportunity to solidify their playoff standing in the competitive Western Conference.
A Game to Remember—Momentum Builds as Teams Look Ahead
If there was ever an advertisement for the excitement of hockey, this Canucks vs Blue Jackets showdown was it. Columbus will need to recover quickly, hosting Ottawa immediately on March 29, while Vancouver faces another critical test against Winnipeg in a matinee match on March 30. With playoff spots still very much in play, both teams must maintain momentum going forward.
