Blue Jackets Extend Win Streak Against Blackhawks

Columbus aims to keep momentum going before Olympic break

Feb. 4, 2026 at 4:15am

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The Columbus Blue Jackets will look to extend their six-game winning streak when they host the Chicago Blackhawks in the final game before the Olympic break for both teams. The Blue Jackets have won 10 of their last 11 games and have outscored opponents 26-13 during their current streak. Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins recorded his 12th career shutout in the team's latest win over the New Jersey Devils.

Why it matters

The Blue Jackets' hot streak has propelled them up the standings in the competitive Metropolitan Division, and a win over the Blackhawks would give them momentum heading into the Olympic break. Chicago, meanwhile, is hoping to build off a recent win that snapped a five-game losing skid.

The details

In the previous matchup between these teams, the Blue Jackets defeated the Blackhawks 4-2 on Friday. Columbus has been led by strong defensive play, with Merzlikins and fellow goaltender Jet Greaves seeing more pucks and making life easier for the team. Offensively, Mathieu Olivier scored twice in the win over the Devils, while Dante Fabbro and others have contributed to the team's scoring surge. For Chicago, Ryan Donato had a big game with two goals and two assists in the Blackhawks' 6-3 win over the San Jose Sharks on Monday, snapping their own five-game skid.

  • The Blue Jackets and Blackhawks will face off on Wednesday, February 4, 2026.
  • The game will be the final contest for both teams before the Olympic break.

The players

Elvis Merzlikins

The Blue Jackets' starting goaltender, who recorded his 12th career shutout in the team's latest win.

Mathieu Olivier

A forward for the Blue Jackets who scored two goals in the win over the Devils.

Ryan Donato

A forward for the Blackhawks who had a big game with two goals and two assists in Chicago's recent win over the Sharks.

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What they’re saying

“We're just hunting teams. We're not sitting back on our heels. We're playing on our toes all game and I think you saw it tonight. I think we just stuck to the game plan longer than they did, and it obviously paid off.”

— Dante Fabbro, Defenseman

“Nice to be able to score, and the other thing it does is, when guys score, they feel better about themselves. It gives guys confidence, and confidence matters a ton in every league, but certainly this league. So hopefully we can carry that forward a little bit.”

— Jeff Blashill, Blackhawks Head Coach

What’s next

The winner of Wednesday's game will head into the Olympic break with momentum, while the loser will look to regroup during the break.

The takeaway

The Blue Jackets' hot streak has them firmly in the playoff picture, while the Blackhawks are hoping to build off a recent win and carry that confidence into the second half of the season. This matchup between two teams trending in opposite directions should make for an exciting final game before the Olympic break.