Kraken vs Blue Jackets: Columbus Extends 11-Game Streak

Tonight at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, two NHL teams find themselves on opposite ends of momentum heading into a pivotal late-season clash. The Columbus Blue Jackets enter riding an electric 11-game points streak while the Seattle Kraken limp in having lost back-to-back games. With playoff seeding on the line for both clubs, this March 21, 2026 matchup has all the ingredients of a must-watch regular-season contest. Whether you're a hardcore fan tracking standings or a casual viewer looking for compelling hockey, here's everything you need to know about how these two squads stack up across every key dimension — from goaltending to special teams to the stars who could decide this game.

1. Overall Team Form and Standings

Columbus Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets have been the NHL's most surprising story over the past three months. Sitting at 83 points (36-21-11), Columbus is tied for 3rd in the Metropolitan Division alongside the New York Islanders. That's a remarkable turnaround for a franchise that spent much of the early season rebuilding its identity.

• Current streak: 11-game points streak (7-0-4), a season high
• Recent form: Since Dec. 22, tied for the fewest regulation losses in the NHL (21-6-5)
• Home dominance: Points in 11 straight home games (8-0-3), one shy of the longest home points streak in club history

Pros: Elite momentum, stout defense at home, deep scoring lineup
Cons: Several games in the streak came via overtime or shootout; not battle-tested in true playoff-pressure elimination scenarios yet

Seattle Kraken

The Kraken enter tonight at 71 points (31-28-9), sitting 5th in the Pacific Division and on the wrong side of the Western Conference wild-card bubble. Their recent skid — just 4-6-0 over their last 10 — has cost them valuable ground in a crowded conference race.

• Recent form: Lost last 2 consecutive games
• Standings position: 5th in Pacific, fighting for wild-card positioning

Pros: Experienced roster with playoff-caliber veterans, nothing-to-lose mentality can spark upsets
Cons: Cold stretch arriving at the worst time, facing a hot home team

The home team has earned points in four straight meetings between these two clubs (3-0-1), a trend Columbus will look to extend tonight.

2. Offensive Firepower: Key Players to Watch

Zach Werenski — Columbus Blue Jackets

Werenski has quietly become one of the most productive defensemen in the NHL this season. He's just the second Blue Jacket ever to record consecutive 50-assist and 70-point campaigns, posting a jaw-dropping line of 20-52-72 in only 61 games. His ability to quarterback the power play and jump into the rush makes him a matchup nightmare for any penalty kill.

• Key stat: 72 points in 61 games (second consecutive 70-point season)
• Pros: Elite puck-moving defender, game-breaking power play presence
• Cons: Defensive zone coverage can be a liability when he pinches aggressively

Adam Fantilli — Columbus Blue Jackets

The young center has been on fire lately. Fantilli scored two goals against the Rangers on Thursday and now carries a five-game point streak (3-4-7 in that span). His speed, shot, and two-way instincts have him playing like a true No. 1 center down the stretch.

• Key stat: Points in 5 consecutive games (3G-4A-7PTS)
• Pros: Dynamic two-way play, clutch performer in high-leverage moments
• Cons: Still young; can disappear for stretches when physically dominated

Charlie Coyle — Seattle Kraken

Coyle has been the Kraken's most consistent forward over the past month-plus, tallying 7-18-25 over his last 18 contests while tying his single-season career high in assists. The veteran center brings playoff-tested leadership and can change a game's momentum with physical, north-south play.

• Key stat: 25 points in 18 games, career-high assists on the season
• Pros: Battle-tested veteran, elite net-front presence, consistent production
• Cons: Team around him has slumped; hard to carry an offense alone

3. Goaltending Matchup

Elvis Merzlikins — Columbus Blue Jackets

Merzlikins gets the start tonight in what is shaping up to be one of the most important games of the Blue Jackets' season. The veteran Latvian netminder has been a steady presence between the pipes during Columbus's historic run, and his experience in big moments gives the home team a reliable backbone.

• Pros: Elite athleticism, strong positional play, home crowd energy elevates his game
• Cons: Has historically been streaky — cold stretches can emerge without warning

For a deep live look at tonight's goaltending stats as the game unfolds, follow the Columbus Dispatch's live game tracker.

4. Intangibles: Home Ice and the 25th Anniversary Effect

Nationwide Arena Atmosphere

Tonight is no ordinary home game for Columbus. The Blue Jackets are hosting their final 25th Anniversary celebration night, with alumni including franchise legends Rick Nash, Lyle Odelein, Andrew Cassels, Jack Johnson, and Fedor Tyutin receiving pregame honors. That kind of emotional energy in a sold-out arena can be a genuine sixth-man advantage — and with Nationwide already electric all season, expect Columbus's home crowd to be at a fever pitch.

• Pros: Alumni night creates an emotionally charged environment that historically lifts home teams
• Historical edge: Columbus has earned points in 11 consecutive home games (8-0-3)
• Cons: For Seattle, road games in hostile atmospheres with playoff stakes tend to reveal mental weaknesses in cold streaks

5. Special Teams and Depth Scoring

Columbus Depth Scoring

One of the most remarkable aspects of Columbus's current run is how broadly the scoring has been distributed. In Thursday's 6-3 win over the Rangers, 11 different players registered points — a testament to a lineup where no opponent can key on just one line. That depth makes Columbus nearly impossible to shut down through traditional defensive game plans.

• Pros: Contributions from every line make Columbus unpredictable; opposing coaches can't overload against one threat
• Cons: If one line carries the team in tight games, that depth advantage diminishes

Danton Heinen's Milestone Moment

Adding to the storybook feel of this stretch, Danton Heinen scored the first goal tonight at 2:48 of the first period on his 600th NHL game — giving Columbus a 1-0 lead. Veterans reaching career milestones in clutch spots exemplifies the kind of veteran experience Columbus is leveraging during this run.

Head-to-Head Comparison Summary

For a full statistical preview, check out the Yahoo Sports game preview and the CBS Sports breakdown of the streaking Blue Jackets vs. the slumping Kraken.

Frequently Asked Questions

What channel is the Blue Jackets vs. Kraken game on tonight?

The Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Seattle Kraken game on March 21, 2026 is broadcast locally through the Blue Jackets' regional broadcast partners. For the most up-to-date channel and streaming information, check the official Blue Jackets preview page on NHL.com.

How significant is Columbus's 11-game points streak historically?

It's the longest points streak of the 2025-26 season for the Blue Jackets and represents a franchise-level achievement. Their 11 consecutive home games with at least a point (8-0-3) puts them one game away from the longest home points streak in club history. Combined with their regulation loss rate since December 22 (tied for fewest in the NHL), this run is legitimately historic for the organization.

Can Seattle still make the playoffs if they lose tonight?

Yes, though a loss would put them in a tighter spot. At 71 points, the Kraken still have games remaining and remain in the playoff hunt for a Western Conference wild-card berth. However, their 4-6-0 stretch over the last 10 games means every point from here on is critical. A loss to a Metropolitan Division opponent doesn't directly hurt their Pacific/Western standings math, but it represents two more points left on the table during a must-win phase of their season.

Who are the Blue Jackets honoring on their 25th Anniversary night?

Columbus is celebrating their final 25th Anniversary alumni night with pregame honors for franchise legends including Rick Nash (the franchise's all-time leading scorer), Lyle Odelein, Andrew Cassels, Jack Johnson, and Fedor Tyutin. Nash in particular is revered in Columbus as the defining player of the franchise's first era, making tonight's ceremony an emotional milestone for the organization.

Game Analysis Tips: How to Watch This Matchup

If you're tuning in tonight — or following via live updates — here are the key storylines and indicators to track that will determine this game's outcome:

• Watch Werenski on the power play. If Columbus gets PP opportunities, Werenski's ability to quarterback the man advantage from the blue line could be the difference-maker. At 72 points, he's the engine of Columbus's offense.
• Track Fantilli's linemates. The young center's five-game point streak shows he's locked in. Whoever Seattle assigns to shadow him will face a genuine challenge containing his speed and shot.
• Monitor Seattle's forecheck intensity early. Teams in cold stretches often either come out with desperate urgency (which can work in their favor) or bring the same sluggish habits that caused the skid. If the Kraken get hemmed in their own zone early, the crowd and Columbus's momentum will snowball fast.
• Follow the live score and play-by-play via the Columbus Dispatch live updates for real-time goal scorers, hits, and shots on goal data.
• Note the home team trend. The home team has earned points in each of the last four Columbus-Seattle meetings (3-0-1). If that pattern holds, it bodes well for the Blue Jackets — but trends exist until they don't, and a desperate Kraken team may break the mold.
• Merzlikins' early play sets the tone. If Seattle gets on the board first and tests the Columbus netminder, watch how he handles adversity. His team has been generous with goal support during the streak; tonight may require him to steal one.

With Danton Heinen already having scored at 2:48 to give Columbus a 1-0 lead on his 600th career game, the Blue Jackets are following the script from their best stretch of hockey in franchise history. For the full game story as it develops, the MSN game preview and the official NHL.com Blue Jackets preview both offer valuable depth on what each team needs to execute. Whatever the final score, tonight's matchup represents everything compelling about the NHL regular season stretch run — history, stakes, and two teams playing for their playoff lives.