Columbus Blue Jackets' Playoff Push Heats Up After Hot Streak

With 26 games left, the Blue Jackets are in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Feb. 6, 2026 at 5:39am

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The Columbus Blue Jackets went into the Winter Olympics break on a scorching hot streak, winning 11 of their last 12 games. With 26 games left in the regular season, the Blue Jackets find themselves just four points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. However, coach Rick Bowness is trying to keep his team grounded, noting they still don't have a playoff spot secured. The Blue Jackets will have a tough schedule down the stretch, facing 15 teams currently in playoff position, including two games each against the first-place Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders.

Why it matters

The Blue Jackets' recent hot streak has propelled them back into playoff contention after a slow start to the season. Making the playoffs would be a major accomplishment for the team and its fans, who have seen the franchise struggle at times. However, the team faces an uphill battle with a difficult remaining schedule, making the next 26 games crucial to their postseason hopes.

The details

The Blue Jackets went 11-1-0 in their last 12 games before the Olympic break, including a 7-game winning streak. This run has lifted them from last in the Eastern Conference to just 4 points out of a playoff spot. The team will have to navigate a grueling schedule over the final 26 games, including 15 matchups against teams currently in playoff position. Key players like Kirill Marchenko and Dante Fabbro are expected to be healthy coming out of the break.

  • The Blue Jackets went on a 7-game winning streak leading into the Olympic break.
  • The Blue Jackets have 26 games remaining in the regular season, which will be played over just 48 days.
  • The Blue Jackets have 10 divisional matchups left, including 2 games each against the first-place Carolina Hurricanes and the New York Islanders.

The players

Rick Bowness

The Blue Jackets' head coach, who has guided the team to an 11-1-0 record since taking over in mid-January.

Zach Werenski

The Blue Jackets' star defenseman, who is excited to represent Team USA at the Winter Olympics before returning to push for the playoffs with his NHL club.

Kirill Marchenko

The Blue Jackets' second-leading scorer and top scoring forward, who missed two games due to illness before the Olympic break but is expected to be healthy coming out of it.

Dante Fabbro

The Blue Jackets' defenseman, who returned from a foot laceration that sidelined him for six games just before the Olympic break.

Brendan Smith

The veteran Blue Jackets defenseman, who is likely to miss the rest of the regular season following knee surgery.

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What they’re saying

“The reality is we just got 22 points out of 24, and we still don't have a playoff spot. So, we have to keep pushing. We have to keep getting better.”

— Rick Bowness, Head Coach (The Dispatch)

“As excited as I am to go to Milan and represent my country in the Olympics, I'm almost as excited to get back here and get back with the guys already. It's something special here, we've put in the work recently [and] we're getting rewarded for it.”

— Zach Werenski (Instagram)

What’s next

The Blue Jackets will play their final 26 games over a span of just 48 days, including five back-to-backs and 15 games against teams currently occupying playoff spots. Their playoff fate will be determined in this sprint to the finish line.

The takeaway

The Blue Jackets' recent hot streak has put them firmly in the Eastern Conference playoff race, but they face a daunting schedule down the stretch with little margin for error. Their ability to maintain their momentum and secure a postseason berth will be a true test of their resilience and determination.