Zach Werenski Records 100th Multipoint Game in Blue Jackets' 4-3 OT Loss

Zach Werenski tallied two assists against the Islanders to reach 100 career multipoint games during a night honoring his Olympic gold medal.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The New York Islanders defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3 in overtime on Saturday night at Nationwide Arena. Despite the loss, Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski recorded two assists, marking his 21st multipoint performance of the season and the 100th of his 10-year career. Werenski reached this milestone in 621 games, making him the fifth-fastest active defenseman to achieve the feat behind Cale Makar (336), Quinn Hughes (410), Adam Fox (459), and Erik Karlsson (505). Columbus initially built a lead when Mason Marchment scored 3:58 into the second period, assisted by Werenski, to make it 2-0. After the Islanders rallied, Adam Fantilli tied the game at 3-3 with 1:02 remaining in the second frame by redirecting a Werenski wrist shot from the left point.

Zach Werenski entered the contest as the second-highest scoring defenseman in the NHL with 65 points. His two-point night extended his current scoring streak to nine consecutive games, the longest such run by a blueliner in the 25-year history of the Columbus franchise. Over this nine-game span, he has accumulated 13 points consisting of two goals and 11 assists. Since returning from the Olympic break, he has tallied three assists in two games. However, the Blue Jackets have struggled as a unit, picking up only one point in their last two outings following a 4-2 loss to Boston on Thursday. The team had previously won seven straight games prior to the international hiatus.

Olympic Gold Medal Celebration and Tributes

Before puck drop, the organization honored Zach Werenski for his contribution to Team USA’s gold medal victory at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. A video tribute played on the scoreboard highlighted Werenski’s primary assist to Jack Hughes for the decisive goal in a 2-1 win over Canada on Feb. 22. Fans at Nationwide Arena provided a raucous standing ovation accompanied by "USA!" chants while the defenseman was spotlighted on the bench. Throughout the pregame festivities, Werenski’s United States jersey and gold medal were displayed on the main concourse, drawing a line of spectators that stretched halfway around the arena.

The pregame ceremony also featured footage of Werenski and Matthew Tkachuk skating with a No. 13 Johnny Gaudreau jersey. This served as a tribute to the former Blue Jackets forward who was killed in August 2024 alongside his brother when they were struck by an SUV while cycling in New Jersey. Gaudreau, whose number hangs in the Columbus rafters, played two seasons for the club. Werenski’s return to NHL action follows a whirlwind week that included appearances at the White House and the State of the Union speech on Tuesday.

Metropolitan Division Standings and Playoff Implications

The overtime defeat leaves Columbus seven points behind the New York Islanders for third place in the Metropolitan Division. Furthermore, the Blue Jackets remain five points back of the Boston Bruins for the second wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference, even though Philadelphia defeated Boston 3-1 on Saturday. With only 24 games remaining in the regular season, the missed opportunity for points against direct playoff rivals was a focal point for the roster. Werenski noted that the team likely deserved four points from the last two matchups but only secured one.

Columbus currently faces a critical stretch in their schedule as they attempt to regain the momentum established by their seven-game winning streak in early February. The team will travel to face the New York Rangers on Monday. Despite the individual accolades for Zach Werenski, the Blue Jackets' inability to close out the Islanders moved them further from a guaranteed postseason position. The defenseman emphasized that while the situation is disappointing, the team remains in contention with significant hockey left to be played.