The Columbus Blue Jackets showcased their prowess with a definitive 6-2 victory over the Boston Bruins at Nationwide Arena on Friday evening, pushing their record to 3-0-1 over the last four games. Dmitri Voronkov and Sean Monahan each scored twice, leading the Blue Jackets to yet another impressive showing on home ice.
Monahan opened the scoring with a power-play goal at 11:29 of the first period, celebrating his 800th NHL game with agility, grabbing the rebound from Zach Werenski's shot. Just minutes later, the Bruins responded with their own scoring, as Pavel Zacha wrapped around the net for the tying goal at 15:13. Adam Fantilli, who continues to shine, regained the lead for Columbus with a slick forehand shot at 7:00 of the second period, nudging the score to 2-1.
Monahan added to the lead shortly after with his second goal of the night at 8:13, followed by Voronkov's backhander at 9:47, effectively leaving the Bruins trailing at 4-1. Columbus ended the night with three power-play goals, marking their ability to capitalize on man advantages.
Explaining the momentum, Monahan said, "No one in here is really too worried about what's going on outside this dressing room. We’ve got to continue to build on the little things we do when we win games. We’re trending in the right direction, and it’s a real fun group to be a part of.” This sentiment reflects the buoyant atmosphere of the Blue Jackets as they dominate at home, moving their record at Nationwide Arena to 11-4-3 this season.
While the Blue Jackets thrived, the performance of the Bruins, which saw them struggle to maintain puck control and win battles, disappointed many. Charlie Coyle expressed his frustration, stating, "You can't win many games when you're being outworked like [that]. That's embarrassing.” The team seemed outmatched throughout the game, frustrated by the speed and efficiency of Columbus' transitions.
The last time these teams met, the Blue Jackets continued to dominate, outscoring the Bruins 11-3 across their two encounters this season, highlighting their current edge. The Bruins will have the opportunity to redeem themselves when they face the Blue Jackets again soon. Charlie McAvoy noted, "The best part of this League is you get to turn a new leaf every single day," emphasizing their commitment to bounce back.
Kicking off the third period, Marchenko pushed the lead to 6-1 with another goal at 3:04, before Coyle managed to net one back for the Bruins at 4:08, sealing the score at 6-2. Werenski also made notable contributions, tying his NHL personal best with four assists, and matching the franchise record for four-point games alongside Artemi Panarin.
The Blue Jackets have now scored six or more goals seven times this season, perfectly illustrating their offensive depth and collaborative effort, with Voronkov underscoring his potential with five goals and five assists across six games. With the win under their belts, Columbus will look to translate this momentum onto the road, as they eye a series of games away from home.
Certainly, Friday's game was not just about victory; it also served as a milestone for Monahan, who has now accumulated eight points (four goals and four assists) over the last four games, as he continues to lead the team forward. With this performance, the Blue Jackets have made their mark early this season, and fans are hopeful they can maintain this level of play heading toward the middle of the NHL schedule.
