Werenski had a 3-point game, including a length-of-the-ice breakaway goal, to lead the Blue Jackets to a 5-1 win over the Blackhawks.

Chinakhov skated at left wing on the second line with captain Boone Jenner at center and Kent Johnson on the right. Their secondary numbers together weren’t terrible, but Chinakhov needs to shake off some rust after missing 39 games with a back issue.

Takeaways for Blue Jackets include Zach Werenski's record point streak, Kent Johnson's goals and Elvis Merzlikins' cheeky run-in with a goal post.

Werenski collected two assists, one on the power play, in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Red Wings.

After the Blue Jackets defeated the Red Wings 5-2 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Thursday, the two teams have 66 points apiece and hold the first two wild card spots in the Eastern Conference going into their matchup in the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series at Ohio Stadium on Saturday (6 p.m. ET; ESPN, TVAS-D, FX-CA).

Every point counts. Battling for playoff position in the Eastern Conference, the Florida Panthers (38-21-3) will host the Columbus Blue Jackets (30-23-8) at Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.

Not even two more goals for Blue Jackets star Zach Werenski staved off the ... retained the first wild card in the NHL’s Eastern Conference with 68 points thanks to the Detroit Red Wings ...