Zach Werenski returns to the Columbus Blue Jackets after Team USA won the gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. The focus now shifts to their push for a playoff spot, which is well within reach.
They entered the Olympic break as the hottest team in the NHL, winning 11 of their last 12 games under new head coach Rick Bowness. However, the last game of that stretch came just over three weeks ago, so how can Columbus regain that momentum down the stretch?
Related: How are the Blue Jackets’ 2 Olympians Benefitting From the Olympics?
It starts with their red-hot star and Olympic gold medalist. Werenski has to come out of the break playing as well, or better, than he was during their seven-game win streak leading up to the Olympics. Werenski went into the break with points in 22 of his last 24 games, including 10 multi-point efforts in that stretch.
He only averaged a little over 17 minutes of ice time per game during the Olympics, which is significantly lower than the 26:22 he’s averaged with the Blue Jackets this season. So, at least he wasn’t overworked.
Blue Jackets Must Keep Up Scoring Pace
The Blue Jackets have been scoring a lot, with 46 goals scored in 12 games, averaging 3.83 goals per game. They’ve allowed 26 goals in those games for a 2.16 goals-against average. Maintaining those numbers will help them keep winning.
Werenski has been the star of the show, and while he hasn’t found the back of the net a bunch, he has assisted on most of the team’s goals. He continued that trend into the Olympics, where he scored one goal and five assists through six games, including the primary assist on the golden goal in overtime against Team Canada.
However, Kirill Marchenko, Adam Fantilli, Mason Marchment, and a few others, who saw their point production slow down before the break, got to enjoy a much-needed few weeks off to recover and rest for a playoff push. The Blue Jackets’ top line will be relied on heavily down the stretch.
The team’s depth scoring has been a big part of the team’s success, and the biggest contributor has been Charlie Coyle. Coyle has been all over the ice, and he’s been a great leader and teammate this season. His play at both ends of the ice has kept the team in contention, and according to The Hockey Writers’ Mark Scheig, has brought him into the Selke Trophy conversation as well.
Blue Jackets’ Goaltenders Have to Stay Red Hot
Goaltending has been a huge part of the team’s recent success. The Blue Jackets ended games before the break with back-to-back shutout wins, and they have three shutouts in this 12-game stretch. Jet Greaves earned two of them, while Team Latvia goaltender Elvis Merzlikins earned the other. Merzlikins, the only other Blue Jacket who was in Milan for the Olympics, started Latvia’s first game of the tournament against Team USA and a loss to Team Sweden in the elimination round. Team USA’s talent was too much to handle, and he was pulled after the second period.
#CBJ practice about to begin after a little Olympic-watching delay. Elvis Merzlikins is back at practice after playing in Milan. pic.twitter.com/GGLdqkW9Cm
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) February 22, 2026
Merzlikins and Greaves should both be well rested. The team will need them to continue playing lights out, especially with two games against teams directly ahead of them in the standings, the Boston Bruins and the New York Islanders, beginning on Thursday.
If the Blue Jackets can continue to score and their goaltenders can continue to lock down the crease, they should be able to collect huge points to close out the month of February and gain some momentum heading into the March 6 trade deadline.
