The Columbus Blue Jackets host the Anaheim Ducks at Nationwide Arena in an inter-conference matchup featuring a surging Pacific Division contender against an Atlantic team fighting for consistency. Anaheim (20-12-1, 41 points) arrives as one of the league’s hottest clubs, riding elite young talent and strong goaltending to a top-3 spot in the West. Columbus (13-13-6, 32 points) sits near the wildcard cut line, powered by Johnny Gaudreau’s playmaking and Zach Werenski’s offensive defense, but defensive inconsistencies and road-heavy scheduling have limited momentum. This Tuesday clash pits Anaheim’s balanced attack and transition speed against Columbus’ physical forecheck and home-ice grit—special teams and goaltending will likely decide a game with potential for high-event chaos.
Venue
Location: Nationwide Arena, Columbus, OH (18,500-capacity downtown arena known for its cannon celebrations, loud “CBJ” chants, and passionate Ohio hockey fans; a tough building for visitors)
Puckdrop: 7:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. PT)
Broadcast: Bally Sports Ohio (Columbus local); Bally Sports SoCal/Victory+ (Anaheim); streaming on ESPN+; radio on 97.1 The Fan (Columbus) and KLAA 830 (Anaheim)
Nationwide Arena’s cannon blasts and pre-game energy set the stage for Anaheim’s lone regular-season visit to Columbus.
Team Records
Anaheim boasts a clear standings edge, ranking top-8 in goals against and power-play efficiency, while Columbus relies on home scoring but struggles with the league’s bottom-12 penalty kill.
| Team | Overall Record | Division Record | Home/Road | Last 10 | GF/GA (Per Game) | PP% / PK% |
| Anaheim Ducks | 20-12-1 (41 pts) | 8-5-0 (Pacific) | 10-6-1 / 10-6-0 | 7-2-1 | 3.20 / 2.75 | 23.8% / 82.1% |
| Columbus Blue Jackets | 13-13-6 (32 pts) | 5-6-3 (Atlantic) | 8-6-3 / 5-7-3 | 4-4-2 | 3.00 / 3.30 | 20.5% / 76.4% |
Ducks rank No. 6 in road goals; Jackets No. 15 in home shots generated.
Recent Team Forms
Anaheim is scorching with a 7-2-1 mark in their last 10, including a 5-2 rout of Calgary—Troy Terry (8 points in last 5) and Leo Carlsson drive the offense, while Lukas Dostal has posted .920 SV% in December. Road form: 5-1-0 in last 6 away, averaging 3.8 goals.Columbus is even at 4-4-2 over their last 10, stealing points in a 4-3 OT win against Pittsburgh last outing. Gaudreau (6 points last 4) keeps them competitive, but home defense has leaked (3.5 GA in last 5 at Nationwide). Elvis Merzlikins has stabilized (.908 SV% recently).
Injury Report
Columbus deals with key forward absences; Anaheim relatively healthy up front. Updates as of December 16 morning skate.
| Team | Player | Position | Status | Reason/Estimated Return | Impact Notes |
| Blue Jackets | Boone Jenner | C | Out | Shoulder (IR since Nov.) | Captain; 12 goals lost |
| Blue Jackets | Kent Johnson | C | Out | Upper body (week-to-week) | Young scorer; playmaking hit |
| Blue Jackets | Erik Gudbranson | D | Available | Returned Dec. 14; full go | Physical presence back |
| Ducks | Trevor Zegras | C | Questionable | Lower body (day-to-day) | Game-time; 10 assists impacted |
| Ducks | Radko Gudas | D | Out | Ankle (IR since Oct.) | Physical minutes missing |
| Ducks | John Gibson | G | Available | Backup role; no issues | Dostal starts |
Anaheim’s core (Carlsson, Terry, Vatrano) healthy; Columbus leans on Gaudreau/Marchenko/Fantilli line.
Key Player Matchups
Young stars and physical battles define this one.
Leo Carlsson (Ducks C, 15 G, 35 PTS) vs. Adam Fantilli (Jackets C): Sophomore sensations clash—Carlsson’s vision (7 points last 5) vs. Fantilli’s speed. Edge: Ducks.
Troy Terry (Ducks RW, 18 G) vs. Zach Werenski (Jackets D): Terry’s shot (6 points last 4) tests Werenski’s offensive gaps; Columbus allows 31 shots/game. Edge: Ducks.
Lukas Dostal (Ducks G, .915 SV%) vs. Elvis Merzlikins (Jackets G, .905 SV%): Dostal’s road form (.920 SV% away) vs. Merzlikins’ home bounce-back (.912 in last 5 at Nationwide). Edge: Ducks.
Mason McTavish (Ducks C) vs. Jackets PK: McTavish’s net-front (7 PPG) exploits Columbus’ 76.4% kill. Edge: Ducks.
Johnny Gaudreau (Jackets LW) vs. Ducks Bottom Pair: Gaudreau’s playmaking could spark if Anaheim turns over.
Special teams: Ducks’ 23.8% PP vs. Jackets’ bottom-12 PK favors visitors; Columbus’ physicality threatens shorthanded.
Series History
Inter-conference foes meet infrequently (Ducks lead all-time 28-22-6). This season’s prior game:
Nov. 12, 2025: Anaheim 4-2 win @ Anaheim
Columbus competitive at home (5-5 last 10 in Nationwide vs. Ducks). Trends: Overs in 7 of last 10 meetings (avg. 6.7 goals); multi-goal decisions in 6 of last 8.
Betting Trends
Trends: Ducks 7-3 ATS last 10 as favorites; Jackets 5-5 ATS at home. Overs 6-4 in Ducks’ last 10 road; 5-5 in inter-conference.
Historical: Road favorites 6-4 SU in last 10 series meetings.
Game Odds
Anaheim Ducks 6.5
Columbus Blue Jackets – 142
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Monday, December 15, 2025
