Jason Newland is the Site Editor and Reporter for the Columbus Blue Jackets team site with The Hockey News. A resident of Columbus, Jason has spent 10 years writing about the Blue Jackets and in his spare time hangs with his son Trevor, plays softball, and watches all sports. You can follow him at @F1reTheCannon.

Zach Werenski scored his 16th goal of the season, extending his home points streak to 19 games. He tied John Van Boxmeer for the 5th longest streak in NHL history. With the goal, he has overtaken Cale Makar in points by a defenseman and tied him with goals by a defenseman.

Projected Lineup **Lines Subject to Change Before game time Dmitri Voronkov - Adam Fantilli - Kirill Marchenko James van Riemsdyk - Cole Sillinger - Kent Johnson Zach Aston-Reese - Luca Del Bel Belluz

The Blue Jackets had no business defeating the Los ... an impressive ability to counterpunch, goalie Elvis Merzlikins (31 saves), a growing confidence level and another memorable goal by Kirill ...

Related: Columbus Blue Jackets (53 pts) vs. Los Angeles Kings (57 pts) Game Preview. Projected Lineup **Lines Subject to Change Before game time. Dmitri Voronkov - Adam Fantilli -

The Columbus Blue Jackets remain in the thick of the playoff race in the Eastern Conference as the calendar is about ready to flip to February. Several individual performances are worth noting as to why the team is in the hunt.

Zack Werenski and Dante Fabbro also scored, and Elvis Merzlikins stopped 31 shots as Columbus won its fifth straight home game.

The Kings score late in the third period to force overtime before Kirill Marchenko scores on a spectacular individual effort to lift the Blue Jackets to victory.

Last night, one of the most confusing but hilarious moments happened between Columbus Blue Jackets ' Elvis Merzļikins and Toronto Maple Leafs ' Auston Matthews. Seven minutes into the first period, Merzļikins and Matthews both lost their sticks at the same time, which resulted in both players picking up the wrong stick.

TORONTO - Adam Fantilli joked he was paying to play Wednesday. With a convoy of supporters heading south to Scotiabank Arena from nearby Nobleton, Ont., to see his Blue Jackets take on the Toronto Maple Leafs, the 20-year-old centre was happy to cover some of the tickets. It was money well spent.

TORONTO - Adam Fantilli registered his first career hat trick and Elvis Merzlikins made 29 saves as the Columbus Blue Jackets thumped the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-1 on Wednesday.

Kent Johnson scored for the Blue Jackets (22-18-7), who had their seven-game point streak end (6-0-1). Elvis Merzlikins made 22 saves.