Chinakhov skated at left wing on the second line with captain Boone Jenner at center and Kent Johnson on the right. Their secondary numbers together weren’t terrible, but Chinakhov needs to shake off some rust after missing 39 games with a back issue.

Werenski had a 3-point game, including a length-of-the-ice breakaway goal, to lead the Blue Jackets to a 5-1 win over the Blackhawks.

Takeaways for Blue Jackets include Zach Werenski's record point streak, Kent Johnson's goals and Elvis Merzlikins' cheeky run-in with a goal post.

Every point counts. Battling for playoff position in the Eastern Conference, the Florida Panthers (38-21-3) will host the Columbus Blue Jackets (30-23-8) at Amerant Bank Arena on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.

After the Blue Jackets defeated the Red Wings 5-2 at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit on Thursday, the two teams have 66 points apiece and hold the first two wild card spots in the Eastern Conference going into their matchup in the 2025 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series at Ohio Stadium on Saturday (6 p.m. ET; ESPN, TVAS-D, FX-CA).

Werenski collected two assists, one on the power play, in Saturday's 5-3 win over the Red Wings.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have to get back to work following the fanfare of playing in front of an electric atmosphere in a huge stadium and for a national audience.

Not even two more goals for Blue Jackets star Zach Werenski staved off the ... retained the first wild card in the NHL’s Eastern Conference with 68 points thanks to the Detroit Red Wings ...