The Vancouver Canucks (16-25-5, 37 points, 8th in Pacific Division) visit the Columbus Blue Jackets (20-19-7, 47 points, 7th in Metropolitan Division) in an interconference matchup. The Canucks are mired in a lengthy losing streak and face a tough road test against a Blue Jackets team that’s found some consistency lately, aiming to build momentum before the Olympic break.
Venue Location
Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH (Capacity: 18,144).
Puckdrop is scheduled for 7:00 PM EST (Broadcast: ESPN+, SNP, FDSNOH).
Injury Report
Injuries are piling up for both squads, affecting goaltending and forward depth.
Vancouver Canucks:
G Thatcher Demko (lower body): On IR, potentially out for the season; placed on IR Jan 11.
LW Kiefer Sherwood (undisclosed): Day-to-day, expected out 1-3 weeks; could miss up to a week.
C Marco Rossi (lower body): On IR, out 2-3 more weeks; expected back late January.
C Filip Chytil (upper body): On IR, expected back Jan 15; traveling with team.
C Teddy Blueger (lower body): On IR, expected back Jan 15; traveling with team.
D Derek Forbort (undisclosed): On LTIR.
Columbus Blue Jackets:
D Erik Gudbranson (hip): On IR, out until at least Jan 20; missed 37 games.
LW Mason Marchment (upper body): On IR, week-to-week; injured Jan 4.
C Isac Lundestrom (lower body): On IR, out until at least Jan 17; missed 9 games.
LW Miles Wood (leg/lower body): On IR, out.
D Denton Mateychuk (upper body): Day-to-day, out.
D Damon Severson (illness): Expected out until at least Jan 15.
D Brendan Smith (lower body): On IR.
Key
Player Matchups to Watch
This game could hinge on offensive stars navigating depleted defenses and goaltending battles.
C Elias Pettersson (VAN) vs. C Boone Jenner (CBJ): Pettersson (13G, 15A, 28P) is VAN’s top playmaker despite the team’s struggles, averaging 0.6 PPG. Jenner (12G, 15A, 27P, +5) captains CBJ with physicality and faceoff prowess (55%). This center matchup will control pace and neutral-zone play.
LW Jake DeBrusk (VAN) vs. D Zach Werenski (CBJ): DeBrusk (12G, 10A, 22P) brings speed and finishing for VAN. Werenski (8G, 23A, 31P, 24:15 TOI/game) is CBJ’s offensive D-man, logging heavy minutes and blocking shots.
RW Brock Boeser (VAN) vs. D Damon Severson (CBJ): Boeser (16G, 14A, 30P) leads VAN in goals with a lethal shot. Severson (if healthy; 4G, 18A, 22P) provides CBJ with shutdown ability and transition play.
G Kevin Lankinen (VAN) vs. G Jet Greaves (CBJ): Lankinen (.886 SV%, 6-12-4) steps up amid Demko’s absence, facing ~31 shots/game. Greaves (recent wins, solid home) anchors CBJ with better support.
Recent Team Forms
Vancouver Canucks (0-8-2 in last 10 games, -23 goal differential): The Canucks are in freefall, winless in 10 and averaging just 2.1 goals/game while allowing 4.4. Road form: 7-14-3. Their latest loss was 1-2 to Ottawa on Jan 13.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Jan 13 | vs. OTT | L 1-2 |
| Jan 12 | @ MTL | L 3-6 |
| Jan 10 | @ TOR | L 0-5 |
| Jan 8 | @ DET | L 1-5 |
| Jan 6 | @ BUF | L 3-5 |
| Jan 3 | vs. BOS | L 2-3 (OT) |
| Jan 2 | vs. SEA | L 3-4 (SO) |
| Dec 30 | vs. PHI | L 3-6 |
| Dec 28 | @ SEA | L 3-4 |
| Dec 27 | @ SJS | W 3-2 |
Columbus Blue Jackets (4-4-2 in last 10 games, -3 goal differential): The Blue Jackets have alternated results but won their last two, averaging 3.3 goals/game. Home form: 11-7-4. They beat Calgary 5-3 on Jan 13.
| Date | Opponent | Result |
| Jan 13 | vs. CGY | W 5-3 |
| Jan 11 | @ UTA | W 3-2 (OT) |
| Jan 10 | @ COL | L 0-4 |
| Jan 8 | @ VGK | L 3-5 |
| Jan 6 | @ SJS | L 2-5 |
| Jan 4 | vs. PIT | L 4-5 (OT) |
| Jan 3 | vs. BUF | W 5-1 |
| Jan 1 | @ NYI | W 4-3 |
| Dec 30 | vs. OTT | L 2-3 |
| Dec 28 | vs. NYI | W 4-2 |
Series History
Vancouver holds a 42-26-2-2 all-time edge over Columbus in 72 meetings (58.3% win rate for VAN). In regular-season games, it’s 42-26-2-2 for VAN. The Canucks are 5-0 in the last 5 matchups, including a 4-3 win on Nov 8, 2025. At Nationwide Arena, VAN is 22-11-2. Recent games average 6.1 goals, with 6 of the last 10 going over 5.5.
Betting Trends
Moneyline: CBJ is 10-7 as home favorites; VAN is 3-15 as road underdogs.
Puck Line (Spread): CBJ covers 50% as favorites; VAN covers 45% as underdogs.
Total (Over/Under): Over has hit in 6 of CBJ’s last 10 (avg. 6.6 goals/game) and 7 of VAN’s last 10 (avg. 6.4). Head-to-head leans over (6 of last 10 over 6). Trends: Canucks are 0-10 in last 10 overall; Blue Jackets are 4-4-2 in last 10 but 3-1 at home lately. VAN is 0-5 in last 5 road games vs. CBJ.
Game Odds
Vancouver Canucks 6.5
Columbus Blue Jackets – 175
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, January 14, 2026
