Columbus Blue Jackets rally to beat Edmonton Oilers 5-4 in Nationwide Arena thriller

The Columbus Blue Jackets held off a furious third-period rally from the Edmonton Oilers to secure a 5-4 victory at Nationwide Arena on Thursday night, exacting revenge for their overtime loss just three days earlier. In a thrilling rematch that mirrored Monday’s back-and-forth affair, the Blue Jackets proved they could protect a lead against one of the league’s most dangerous offensive teams, extending their home winning streak to three games while ending Edmonton’s two-game run.

Mathieu Olivier was the standout performer with two goals and an assist, while Charlie Coyle added a goal and two helpers in the Columbus triumph. The victory was particularly sweet for the Blue Jackets, who had surrendered a two-goal third-period advantage in their previous meeting with Edmonton. This time, despite Leon Draisaitl’s two-goal performance and relentless pressure from Connor McDavid and company, Columbus managed to hold firm when it mattered most.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Edmonton Oilers 5-4 game recap: early dominance sets the tone

The Blue Jackets came out firing in the opening period, establishing territorial dominance despite seeing the scoreboard remain frustratingly blank for much of the frame. Columbus hit the iron four separate times in the first 20 minutes, with Dmitri Voronkov alone accounting for two of those near-misses. The puck bounced off posts and crossbars with alarming frequency, and it seemed as though the hockey gods were conspiring against the home side.

Despite their dominance, Columbus managed just a single goal before the first intermission. Olivier finally broke through at 15:36, getting a deflection on Coyle’s shot from the right circle that trickled through Calvin Pickard to give the Blue Jackets a deserved 1-0 lead. The goal came after sustained pressure that saw the Oilers struggling to contain Columbus’s aggressive forecheck and willingness to throw pucks toward the net.

The Oilers had their chances as well, earning a late power play on a high-sticking penalty against Isac Lundestrom. However, it was actually Columbus who looked more dangerous during the man advantage, with Voronkov hitting yet another post on a shorthanded breakaway. The first period served as a microcosm of what was to come—Columbus controlling play but unable to fully capitalize, while Edmonton lurked dangerously, waiting for their opportunity to strike.

For the Oilers, playing the second game of back-to-back contests, the puck seemed difficult to track and handle throughout the opening frame. The Blue Jackets took full advantage of Edmonton’s sluggish start, outshooting them and generating numerous high-danger scoring chances that could have easily resulted in a more substantial lead heading into the second period.

Wild second period swings define the Columbus Blue Jackets vs Edmonton Oilers 5-4 game recap

The middle frame exploded into action immediately, as Coyle doubled Columbus’s advantage just 44 seconds after the opening faceoff. The veteran forward finished off a rebound at the front of the net, forcing a turnover created by Olivier’s relentless forechecking. At 2-0, the Blue Jackets appeared to be in control, but history suggested this lead was far from safe, particularly given Connor McDavid leads Edmonton Oilers to 5-4 overtime win over Columbus Blue Jackets just three nights prior.

The Oilers responded with their best hockey of the evening, mounting pressure that eventually resulted in Matt Savoie’s deflection goal at 11:51. The rookie forward, playing with increased confidence after recording his first multi-point NHL game the previous night, perfectly redirected Evan Bouchard’s point shot over Jet Greaves’s left pad to cut the deficit to one. Savoie’s hot streak continued as he registered his second goal in as many games.

Edmonton’s momentum surged, and just 1:40 later, Draisaitl tied the game with his 11th goal of the season. The German superstar won an offensive zone faceoff, battled his way across the slot, and opened up in the right circle to unleash a one-timer fed by Bouchard. The goal, Draisaitl’s 10th career tally against Columbus, brought him to 410 career goals—just seven shy of Glenn Anderson’s franchise record of 417.

However, Columbus refused to let their two-goal lead evaporate without a fight. Mateychuk restored the Blue Jackets’ advantage just 30 seconds after Draisaitl’s equalizer, capitalizing on a fortuitous bounce off the boards to beat Pickard. Then, with 1:38 remaining in the period, Adam Fantilli made it 4-2, rounding the Edmonton netminder to tuck home Kirill Marchenko’s feed from the corner. Fantilli’s goal marked his third in as many games, while Marchenko’s assist extended his point streak to 10 games. The second period featured three goals in 2:10 and showcased the offensive firepower both teams possess.

Dramatic finish highlights the Columbus Blue Jackets vs Edmonton Oilers 5-4 game recap

The third period began with Edmonton desperately seeking another comeback, and they generated quality chances early. McDavid was denied by Greaves on a breakaway opportunity, while Mattias Ekholm rang iron with a heavy slap shot from the left circle. The Oilers earned a crucial power play, during which McDavid attempted an acrobatic bat of an airborne puck, and Bouchard unleashed a 95-mile-per-hour blast that Greaves somehow managed to parry aside.

Olivier appeared to put the game out of reach at 7:30 of the final frame, combining with Coyle once again to extend Columbus’s lead to 5-2. The duo’s chemistry was evident throughout the contest, as they combined for seven points on the evening. However, Vasily Podkolzin responded just 27 seconds later, firing home his third goal of the season with an assist from Jack Roslovic, who was playing against his former team and extended his hot stretch to 11 points in 10 games.

Draisaitl’s second goal of the night arrived at 11:27, cutting the deficit to 5-4 and giving Edmonton legitimate hope of replicating Monday’s heroics. The forward’s shot through traffic from the right circle beat Greaves and set up a frantic final eight minutes. The Oilers pressed relentlessly, generating chance after chance as Columbus tried to weather the storm. A pair of matching roughing penalties to Andrew Mangiapane and Voronkov created four-on-four hockey that favored Edmonton’s skill players.

With Calvin Pickard pulled for an extra attacker in the final two minutes, the Oilers threw everything at Greaves and the Blue Jackets defense. Edmonton maintained possession in the offensive zone, but Columbus’s commitment to blocking shots and clearing rebounds proved decisive. A turnover with under five seconds remaining gave Bouchard one final chance from the slot, but his shot missed the mark as time expired. The Columbus Blue Jackets vs Edmonton Oilers game preview had emphasized defensive discipline, and the Blue Jackets demonstrated exactly that when protecting their late lead.

Key performances that shaped the Columbus Blue Jackets vs Edmonton Oilers 5-4 game recap

Mathieu Olivier’s three-point performance (2G, 1A) was instrumental in Columbus’s victory, as the forward played his best game of the season. His ability to contribute offensively while maintaining his physical edge gave the Blue Jackets an X-factor that proved difficult for Edmonton to contain. Olivier’s opening goal set the tone, and his insurance marker in the third period nearly sealed the victory before the Oilers mounted their late charge.

Charlie Coyle matched Olivier’s output with a goal and two assists, showcasing the offensive depth that has fueled Columbus’s recent success. His rebound goal early in the second period came at a crucial moment, and his playmaking throughout the contest created numerous scoring opportunities. The veteran’s experience proved valuable in helping the Blue Jackets navigate Edmonton’s third-period surge.

For the Oilers, Leon Draisaitl’s two-goal effort kept Edmonton within striking distance despite their defensive lapses. The German star now sits at 985 career points, just 15 away from the coveted 1,000-point milestone. Evan Bouchard was equally impressive, recording three assists while quarterbacking Edmonton’s power play and generating offense from the blue line. His partnership with Draisaitl on the second goal exemplified the chemistry that makes the Oilers so dangerous.

Jet Greaves deserves significant credit for Columbus’s victory, making 25 saves and standing tall when the Oilers pressed hardest in the final period. The young netminder faced numerous high-danger chances, including point-blank opportunities from McDavid and heavy shots from Bouchard, yet never wavered. His performance was particularly impressive given that he was facing one of the league’s most potent offenses on consecutive nights.

What the Columbus Blue Jackets vs Edmonton Oilers 5-4 game recap means moving forward

This victory represents significant growth for the Blue Jackets, who demonstrated the ability to protect a lead against elite opposition. After surrendering a two-goal advantage in the third period on Monday, Columbus showed improved defensive structure and mental fortitude in similar circumstances. The three-game home winning streak has injected confidence into a team that has struggled with consistency this season.

For Edmonton, the loss highlights ongoing defensive issues that continue to plague their season. While the offense generated four goals and numerous scoring chances, allowing five goals for the second consecutive game against Columbus raises concerns. The Oilers are now 0-5 at Nationwide Arena dating back to 2019, suggesting Columbus has become a particularly difficult matchup for them.

The defeat also snapped Edmonton’s two-game winning streak as they continue their seven-game road trip. With a visit to Carolina next on the schedule, the Oilers must address their defensive lapses and improve their ability to play with leads. While Draisaitl’s pursuit of 1,000 career points provides an individual storyline to watch, the team’s focus must remain on tightening their defensive play if they hope to compete for a Stanley Cup.

Columbus, meanwhile, will host the New York Rangers on Saturday, looking to extend their home success to four games. Playing without captain Boone Jenner, who is expected to miss extended time with an upper-body injury, the Blue Jackets received contributions from throughout their lineup. Adam Fantilli’s three goals in three games and Kirill Marchenko’s 10-game point streak provide offensive firepower that can compensate for Jenner’s absence. If Columbus can maintain this level of play, they may be poised for a surprising push in the competitive Metropolitan Division.