Sharks Sink Blue Jackets 5-2 as Celebrini Extends Streak, Columbus Struggles Continue

The chill of a January evening at SAP Center couldn’t quite match the cold reality setting in for the Columbus Blue Jackets. On January 6, 2026, the San Jose Sharks delivered a resounding 5-2 defeat, marking the Blue Jackets’ second consecutive loss and an inauspicious start to a demanding four-game road trip. For the Sharks, however, it was a night of continued momentum, highlighted by a burgeoning young star and a familiar face making a triumphant return.

Sharks Surge as Celebrini Extends Streak and Wennberg Haunts Former Team

The San Jose Sharks, now boasting a record of 21-18-3 and winning four of their last five contests, showcased a potent offense and resilience that has become their hallmark. The night belonged, in many ways, to Macklin Celebrini, whose empty-net goal late in the third period not only sealed the victory but also extended his impressive point streak to 11 games. Celebrini, a name increasingly synonymous with San Jose’s future, continues to demonstrate why he’s one of the league’s most exciting young talents, consistently finding ways to contribute offensively.

But the narrative of the night wouldn’t be complete without acknowledging Alex Wennberg. The former Blue Jackets center, fresh off signing a new three-year, $18 million contract with San Jose, made an immediate and impactful statement against his old club. Wennberg factored into three of the Sharks’ goals, dishing out two assists and netting a power-play goal in the second period that pushed San Jose’s lead to 2-0. His performance was a stark reminder of the talent Columbus once possessed, now wielded against them. NHL.com detailed his significant contribution, noting his successful return to action.

The Sharks’ scoring parade began in the first period when Pavol Regenda capitalized on a 2-on-1 feed from Wennberg, beating Blue Jackets goalie Jet Greaves over the glove. Wennberg then extended the lead with his power-play goal, driving to the net and beating Greaves five-hole on the backhand. Later, Zack Ostapchuk provided crucial breathing room with a breakaway goal in the third period, making it 3-1. Mario Ferraro and Celebrini then added empty-netters, turning a tight contest into a more comfortable 5-2 final.

Blue Jackets’ Road Trip Begins with Familiar Frustration

For the Columbus Blue Jackets (18-17-7), the loss felt like a continuation of a frustrating pattern that has seen them spiral towards the bottom of the NHL’s Eastern Conference. Despite showing flashes of potential, their inability to consistently convert opportunities and shore up defensive lapses proved costly. Coach Dean Evason didn’t mince words after the game, telling NHL.com, “We missed a couple opportunities. We’re giving up breakaways. It’s not a good remedy for a win.” His assessment perfectly encapsulated the team’s struggles.

The Blue Jackets did manage to find the back of the net twice. Defenseman Zach Werenski cut the deficit to 2-1 late in the second period with a wrist shot over Sharks goalie Alex Nedeljkovic’s blocker, providing a glimmer of hope. In the third period, Sean Monahan, playing his first game back after missing four due to an undisclosed injury, pulled Columbus within a goal at 3-2. Monahan’s return was a welcome sight, offering a brief surge of momentum that ultimately couldn’t be sustained against the surging Sharks.

Goaltender Jet Greaves, making his seventh consecutive start, put in a strong effort, stopping 31 shots. His performance, however, wasn’t enough to stem the tide against a Sharks offense that found ways to capitalize on key moments. The team’s inability to translate strong periods into consistent scoring or defensive stability remains a significant concern.

A Deep Dive into the Game’s Dynamics: Shots, Saves, and Missed Opportunities

The game’s statistics paint a picture of a contest that was closer than the final score might suggest, yet ultimately decided by efficiency and critical errors. While the Sharks finished the second period with a significant 17-6 edge in shots, the Blue Jackets responded fiercely in the third, outshooting San Jose 18-9. By the end of the night, shots on goal were even at 36-36, highlighting Columbus’s late push. Yet, the Blue Jackets struggled to beat Sharks goalie Alex Nedeljkovic, who made 34 saves, often at crucial junctures. Yahoo Sports provided detailed stats underscoring Nedeljkovic’s robust performance.

Columbus’s offensive struggles were evident, particularly in the first half of the game. Werenski himself admitted, “We didn’t really have much in the first half of the game. We got some jump at the end of the second. I didn’t think our third period was bad.” This sentiment reveals a team still searching for a consistent 60-minute effort. The sequence where Ostapchuk’s breakaway goal gave the Sharks a 3-1 lead, only for Monahan to make it 3-2 on the very next shift, perfectly illustrated the Blue Jackets’ Jekyll-and-Hyde performance – a moment of resilience quickly overshadowed by another defensive lapse or missed opportunity.

The empty-net goals by Ferraro and Celebrini, though inflating the final score, were consequences of Columbus’s desperate attempt to tie the game, pulling Greaves from the net. These moments, while tactical, often serve as a cruel punctuation mark on a team’s inability to close the gap. For the Sharks, they were simply the final flourishes on a well-executed victory.

Columbus Faces Uphill Battle Amidst Injuries and Tough Schedule

The Blue Jackets’ challenges extend beyond their on-ice performance to a significant injury crisis that has plagued the team. Forward Mason Marchment was absent due to an upper-body injury, and he’s just one name on a lengthy list. Erik Gudbranson (upper body), Isac Lundeström (lower body), Miles Wood (lower body), and Brendan Smith (lower body) are all sidelined, contributing to a staggering total of 95 man-games lost this season, as reported by Yahoo Sports. This litany of injuries severely impacts team depth and chemistry, forcing coaches to constantly adjust lines and defensive pairings.

Adding to their woes, the Blue Jackets’ road trip has only just begun. Following the loss to San Jose, they face three formidable opponents: the Vegas Golden Knights on January 8, the Colorado Avalanche on January 10, and the Utah Mammoth on January 11. This gauntlet of high-caliber teams will test Columbus’s resolve and depth to its absolute limits. Without key players and struggling to find a consistent winning formula, this road trip could further define their season’s trajectory. The Columbus Dispatch highlighted this tough schedule, emphasizing the uphill battle ahead.

The defeat against the San Jose Sharks laid bare the fundamental issues currently afflicting the Columbus Blue Jackets: a struggle for offensive consistency, defensive vulnerabilities leading to costly breakaways, and a debilitating injury list that saps vital depth. While individual efforts like Greaves’ saves or Monahan’s return goal offered brief glimmers, they were insufficient to counteract a Sharks team that capitalized on key moments and showcased the burgeoning talent of Macklin Celebrini and the impactful return of Alex Wennberg. The Blue Jackets’ immediate future appears daunting, as they face a brutal road trip with a depleted roster, making a significant turnaround seem increasingly challenging without addressing these core structural weaknesses.