COLUMBUS, Ohio — In an exciting turnout at the Stadium Series, the Columbus Blue Jackets triumphed over the Detroit Red Wings with a decisive score of 5-3 on a chilly Saturday night. Justin Danforth propelled his team into the lead with just over two minutes left, securing Columbus’s position at the top of the Eastern Conference wild-card standings. With this win, Columbus edged out the Red Wings and seized sole possession of the coveted playoff spot.
The Blue Jackets’ Denton Mateychuk etched his name in history by scoring the team’s inaugural outdoor goal. Dmitri Voronkov and Mathieu Olivier electrified fans with goals just 32 seconds apart during the second period. Meanwhile, Adam Fantilli sealed the deal with an empty-net goal in the closing moments. Goalkeeper Elvis Merzlikins played a vital role in this victory by making an impressive 43 saves, contributing to Columbus winning against Detroit for the second victory in three days and enhancing their winning streak to four.
On the Detroit side, Alex DeBrincat continued his remarkable point streak, notching up goals in nine consecutive games. Patrick Kane found the back of the net as well, while Cam Talbot, Detroit’s goalie, managed 16 saves. Unfortunately for Detroit, this defeat halted their five-game winning streak on the road and caused them to hold on tight to the second wild-card spot.
In a historic setting, the 43rd outdoor game in the National Hockey League (NHL) took place at Ohio Stadium, marking Columbus’s debut in such an event. A significant audience of 94,751 filled the stadium, witnessing a fiercely contested game.
Key takeaways emerged from the clash: Detroit initially dominated possession, outshooting Columbus 14-6 during the opening period, yet lagged behind as the game progressed. Despite mounting an aggressive offensive in the final third, they failed to counter Columbus’s scoring prowess. For Columbus, the cold and windy conditions initially proved challenging, but they found rhythm with three pivotal goals in the second period. Their composure paid off as they withstood Detroit’s vigorous last-period efforts.
One of the game’s pivotal moments saw DeBrincat momentarily equalize for Detroit, clawing back from a two-goal deficit with only 3:24 remaining. However, Danforth swiftly reclaimed the lead with his timely score, followed by Fantilli cementing the win with his empty-net goal.
The 2025 Stadium Series not only hosted an intense showdown but also boasted a unique scenario—two teams vying for the same playoff spot post-midseason, marking only the third outdoor league game wherein teams shared identical points at the start. This outing was notable for being the first instance since April 13, 2014, where both Detroit and Columbus found themselves in playoff contention at this stage of the season.
Next up, both squads will take the ice again on Tuesday. The Detroit Red Wings will face off against the Carolina Hurricanes on home ice, while the Columbus Blue Jackets will be heading to Tampa Bay for their next challenge.
