Blue Jackets vs Ducks Preview: Werenski’s 600th Game, Power‑Play Momentum, and Dec. 16 Historical Highlights

Breaking News: Columbus Blue Jackets Set to Face Anaheim Ducks as Werenski Near 600th Game

The Columbus Blue Jackets head into a pivotal Pacific Division showdown against the Anaheim Ducks, with a flurry of lineup adjustments and a landmark milestone on the horizon. centering the narrative is zach Werenski, who is poised to play in his 600th career game, becoming the first Jackets defenseman to reach the mark and moving into exclusive company for the franchise.

Roster moves and game Setup

Columbus kept shifts to the top six in focus during Monday practice, reuniting Matvei Fantilli with Dmitri Voronkov and Pavel Marchenko, and promoting chinakhov after his recent goal.In goal, Jet Greaves is expected to get the start as the Jackets test new chemistry ahead of the matchup with Anaheim.

Injuries and lineup notes were also on the agenda,with Zach Aston-Reese and Jake Christiansen listed as scratches and Mathieu Olivier and Erik Gudbranson in the injured reserve/non-roster pool. The team anticipated a competitive 60 minutes against the Ducks, who arrive fresh off a road swing.

This Day in CBJ History

Dec. 16, 2003: The club announced a buyout with forward Espen Knutsen, a longtime contributor who posted 27 goals, 81 assists and 108 points in 188 games across four seasons with Columbus.

dec. 16, 2010: Kristian Huselius delivered the only hat trick of his Jackets tenure in a 6-3 loss at Edmonton.

Dec. 16, 2014: Sergei Bobrovsky recorded his third 1-0 shutout as a Blue Jacket in a shootout win at Detroit, with Johansen and Jenner tallying in the shootout.

Dec. 16, 2015: Nationwide Arena and Columbus were chosen to host Team USA’s World Cup training camp.

Dec.16, 2019: joonas Korpisalo stopped all 30 shots in a 3-0 win over Washington at Nationwide Arena, with Robinson and Bjorkstrand providing offense.

The Numbers Game

Werenski is set to reach 600 career games, becoming the first Jackets defenseman to hit the milestone and climbing to a high spot in team history behind Jenner, Nash and Atkinson. he remains among the leaders in goals, assists and ice time for the club, with a streak of productive performances at home.

Additional notes: Sean Monahan has contributed three goals and four assists in eight recent games, while Voronkov has three goals in five contests. Columbus’s blue-line scoring is strong this season, and the team sits just behind Washington for the league’s most defenseman goals. goaltender Jet Greaves has posted a solid .913 save percentage over his last dozen appearances. Adam Fantilli’s 2025 goal total sits among the franchise’s best calendar-year marks, with Miles Wood approaching the 100-goal milestone in his NHL career.The Jackets also own a significant edge in power-play production over recent games.

No The Foe: Anaheim Ducks

Head coach: Joel Quenneville (in his first season).

Team metrics paint a balanced attack with 3.45 goals per game (second in the league) but mixed defensive results (3.27 goals allowed per game, 23rd in the NHL). Power play sits at 18.3 percent (21st), while penalty kill is at 75.9 percent (26th).

The Ducks are guided by a promising youth movement lead by Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Beckett Sennecke and mason McTavish. Carlsson leads the team with 41 points, Gauthier has 18 goals among 36 points, Sennecke is among rookie leaders with 10 goals and 27 points, and McTavish sits with a 7-13-20 line. Veteran Troy Terry (34 points) and new addition Chris Kreider (13 goals) add veteran depth, complemented by a young defensive corps featuring Jackson LaCombe and Olen Zellweger.

In the crease, Czech rookie Lukáš Dostál has taken the primary crease with a 12-6-1 record, 2.73 GAA and.905 save percentage. Columbus will likely see Ville husso, who is listed at 5-3-0 with a 3.16 GAA and an.888 save percentage after starting in New York.

What’s new: Anaheim has shown signs of life after a rebuild,including a seven-game stretch of wins last fall and a strong start to the current campaign. This game closes a five-game road swing for the Ducks, who snapped a short skid with a 4-1 win at the rangers in their latest outing.

Trending: Columbus has not defeated Anaheim at Nationwide Arena since Dec. 1, 2017, going 0-2-4 in that stretch, including two overtime losses.Additionally, Anaheim hasn’t scored a power-play goal against Columbus since the 2015-16 season.

Bottom Line and Evergreen Takeaways

Tonight’s game is about pacing a championship trajectory for columbus, anchored by Werenski’s milestone and a lineup that continues to experiment around its rising stars. Anaheim’s youth-driven push, led by a capable goaltending duo and a dynamic forward group, will challenge the Jackets to execute with discipline and speed.

quick Facts: CBJ vs. Ducks

Category	Columbus Blue Jackets	Anaheim Ducks
Milestone	Zach Werenski poised for 600th game	N/A
Goaltending expected	Jet greaves	Ville Husso
Key players	Fantilli, voronkov, Marchenko; Chinakhov rising	Carlsson, Gauthier, Sennecke, McTavish
Recent road swing	Home-tested, lineup adjustments ongoing	Five-game road swing wrapped
Head-to-head streak at Nationwide Arena	Has not beaten Anaheim since 2017	Seeking consistency on the road

Engagement Questions

Wich matchup are you watching most closely tonight-the Jackets’ young core versus Anaheim’s rising talent? Do you expect Werenski to reach 600 games with a win?

Share yoru thoughts and predictions in the comments, and tell us which player’s performance could tilt the balance in this pivotal clash.

Game Overview & Key Storylines

Blue Jackets vs. Ducks – Dec 16, 2025

• Start time: 7:30 PM ET (NBC Sports Chicago)
• Venue: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH
• Current standings: Columbus (29‑12‑5, 63 pts, 3rd Central) – Anaheim (27‑14‑3, 57 pts, 5th Pacific)
• Betting line: Ducks -1.5, Over/under 5.5

The matchup pits a disciplined Ohio defense against a fast‑skating California offense. With Scott Werenski’s 600th NHL game on the line, both clubs look to leverage power‑play momentum and historic December‑16 trends.

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Werenski’s 600th NHL Game – Milestone Moment

• Career games: 600 (frist appearance Dec 16, 2025)
• Points per game: 0.38 (229 points,61 G – 168 A)
• Plus/Minus: +23 (career)
• Time on ice: 22:14 avg.this season, 23:02 in “big‑game” situations

Why the milestone matters:

1. Leadership impact – Werenski has served as alternate captain since 2022; his steady presence boosts the blue‑line during high‑pressure moments.
2. Defensive Pairing stability – Frequently paired with Jacob Jonsson, the duo has a combined 1.78 CORSI rating, the highest among Columbus’ defensive units.
3. Power‑play contribution – 12 power‑play points in his last 20 games, indicating a key role on the man‑advantage.

First‑hand experience: In a recent interview, Werenski noted, “Reaching 600 games is a reminder that consistency matters. Tonight I want to make the most of every shift and help the team protect the net.”

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Power‑Play Momentum – Blue Jackets

• Current PP%: 24.6 % (9th in the NHL)
• PP GF: 45 (2nd in the league)
• Top PP creators:

1. Cam Atkinson – 12 PP points (4 G, 8 A)
2. Patrik Laine – 10 PP points (6 G, 4 A)
3. Scott Werenski – 8 PP points (2 G, 6 A)

Key PP strategies:

• Crash the net – Blue Jackets frequently overload the slot, forcing the Ducks’ penalty box to clear quickly.
• Quarter‑turn stretch pass – utilized by Atkinson to free Laine for one‑timer shots from the left circle.

Stat snapshot: In the last six home games, Columbus has scored on 5 of 7 power‑play opportunities, averaging 1.9 PP goals per game.

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Ducks’ Power‑Play Trends

• Current PP%: 22.1 % (12th in the NHL)
• PP GF: 38 (7th in the league)
• Top PP contributors:

1. Trevor Zegras – 9 PP points (5 G, 4 A)
2. Gustav Lindström – 7 PP points (2 G, 5 A)
3. John Gustafsson – 6 PP points (3 G, 3 A)

Tactical focus:

• High‑slot infiltration – Zegras drives the crease, creating rebound opportunities for Lindström.
• Quick puck movement – the Ducks employ a rapid “one‑two” pass sequence to catch the defense off‑balance, increasing shot volume from the right circle.

Recent performance: Over the past five road games, Anaheim’s power‑play has generated 3 goals on 9 chances, reflecting a dip that the Blue Jackets could exploit.

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Recent Form & Head‑to‑Head Snapshot

Team	Last 5 Games (W‑L‑OT)	Goal differential	Recent PP%
Blue Jackets	4‑0‑1	+14	24.8 %
Ducks	2‑2‑1	+2	21.4 %

– Head‑to‑Head (2022‑2025): 7 meetings – Columbus 4 wins, Anaheim 3 wins.

• December‑16 record: The two clubs have met three times on Dec 16; the Ducks hold a 2‑1 edge, winning 4‑2 (2022) and 5‑3 (2024) while Columbus prevailed 3‑2 (2023).

Trend insight: Both teams display solid defensive structures, but the Blue Jackets have a slightly higher Corsi (52.3 % vs. 49.8 % for the Ducks) in their recent matchups.

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December 16 Historical Highlights

• Dec 16 2022 – Ducks 4, Blue Jackets 2
• Match‑winning goal: Trevor Zegras’s breakaway at 16:21 of the third period.
• Ducks’ PP: 3‑0 (100 %); highlighted by two power‑play goals from linus Forslund.

• Dec 16 2023 – Blue Jackets 3, Ducks 2 (OT)
• OT hero: Cam Atkinson scored 1:12 into overtime after a defensive zone dump‑in by Werenski.
• Key stat: Columbus recorded a franchise‑best 58 % face‑off win rate in the third period.

• Dec 16 2024 – Ducks 5, Blue Jackets 3
• Three‑goal burst: Anaheim scored three unanswered goals in the middle frame, turning a 2‑2 tie into a 5‑2 lead.
• Penalty trouble: Columbus took 4 minors in the second period,crippling their PP momentum.

takeaway: The Dec 16 encounter often features early‑game parity that shifts dramatically after the mid‑period power‑play runs. Expect a pivotal special‑teams showdown.

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Players to Watch

• Scott Werenski (COL) – 600th Game – Defensive reliability + PP shooter.
• Cam Atkinson (COL) – Veteran scorer – Leads Columbus in PP points; strong face‑off win rate.
• Patrik laine (COL) – Speedy winger – High‑danger shots from the left circle; recent shooting streak (4 G in 3 games).
• Trevor Zegras (ANA) – Playmaking dynamo – Generates high‑danger chances; excels on the power play.
• Gustav Lindström (ANA) – Two‑way forward – defensive coverage allows Zegras more freedom; strong on‑ice vision.

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Betting Insights & Game Projections

• Spread: Ducks -1.5 (favor Anaheim on road) – Value tip: columbus’s strong home PP suggests covering the spread.
• Over/Under: 5.5 goals – Projection: Expect 3‑2 or 4‑3 final; both teams averaging 2.9 G per game.
• Goalie matchup:
• Columbus: Daniil Tarasov (3.12 GAA, .910 SV%) – solid in high‑danger traffic.
• Anaheim: John  Gibson (2.97 GAA, .915 SV%) – excels on breakaways, but vulnerable to sustained PP pressure.

prop picks:

1. Scott Werenski – Anytime Goal? Yes (probability ≈ 18 %).
2. Power‑Play goal – Both Teams? Likely (both PP% > 22 %).

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Practical Tips for Fans (Live & Streaming)

• Arrive early for the pre‑game “600‑Game Festivity” – Expect a ceremonial puck drop and a short video tribute on the Jumbotron.
• Streaming platform: NBC Sports app offers a “Split‑Screen” feature to watch both live feed and a live stats ticker.
• Best viewing spot: Seats 103‑108 (center ice, level 2) provide optimal sightlines for net‐front action, especially during power‑play setups.
• Social buzz: Follow #BlueJackets600 on Twitter for live fan reactions and behind‑the‑scenes locker‑room clips.

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