The Columbus Blue Jackets escaped Toronto with a 3–2 overtime win, powered by Adam Fantilli’s two-goal performance and Zach Werenski’s three-assist night. But despite the victory, the game once again exposed Columbus’ recurring habit: jumping ahead early, then letting opponents claw back in the third. Toronto, led by captain John Tavares, pushed the Jackets to the limit before Fantilli sealed it in overtime.
Game Summary
First Period — Missed Chances Both Ways
The opening 20 minutes featured plenty of opportunity but no finishing touch on either side.
Columbus had the first big moment when they went to the power play after Easton Cowan drew a tripping call. The Jackets managed just one shot on net, failing to generate the east-west movement they usually rely on from Werenski.
Toronto had back-to-back power plays of their own, but the Leafs also failed to capitalize. Columbus kept their structure tight, blocking lanes and forcing the Leafs to the outside. It was a period of missed chances — both teams trying to find rhythm, neither team able to break through.
Shots after 20: TOR 12, CBJ 4
Score: 0–0
Second Period — Jackets Adjust, Leafs Counter
Columbus came out of the intermission a different team.
Whether it was coaching adjustments, better puck support, or simply tightening execution, the Blue Jackets immediately took over the pace. At 3:17, Dmitri Voronkov redirected a shot to give Columbus a 1–0 lead — a textbook net-front presence goal created by Fantilli’s setup.
Then at 12:01, Fantilli struck again, ripping a clean wrist shot past Woll to make it 2–0. Columbus was rolling, dictating play, and Toronto looked rattled.
But the Leafs weren’t done.
At 14:12, Dakota Mermis jumped on a loose puck and fired it five-hole on Jet Greaves — his first goal as a Maple Leaf, but not his first NHL goal (he scored previously with Minnesota). Still, a big moment for him and a needed spark for Toronto.
Shots in the 2nd: CBJ 10, TOR 8
Score after 2: 2–1 Columbus
Third Period — Tavares Leads, Jackets Falter Again
If one thing has defined Columbus this season, it’s this:
They can’t close out a third period cleanly.
Just 3:33 into the final frame, Toronto captain John Tavares buried a one-timer to tie the game 2–2. Tavares remains the Leafs’ most consistent performer this season — reliable, composed, productive, and always rising when the game tightens.
For the fourth straight game, Columbus surrendered a third-period lead. Over that stretch, they are 2-0-1, but the pattern is still troubling: good starts, shaky finishes.
Toronto then took a too-many-men penalty at 10:43, giving the Jackets a crucial chance to regain control. But Columbus’ struggling power play showed up again — zero shots, no sustained pressure, and an opportunity wasted.
The third period ended with momentum leaning Toronto’s way once again.
Shots in the 3rd: CBJ 12, TOR 8
Score: 2–2
Overtime — Columbus Saves It, But Concerns Remain
Columbus thrives in overtime, and once again they looked confident.
At 4:21 of OT, Werenski threaded a perfect feed to Fantilli, who snapped home the winner to secure the 3–2 victory and a three-point night.
Columbus moves to 3–0 in OT over their last stretch — but head coach Dean Evason won’t love how they keep getting there.
Toronto battled hard, but without Matthews, Knies, Roy, Carlo, and Tanev, their depth was stretched thin. Still, their compete level was high enough to push the game beyond regulation.
GAME STATS
| Stat | Columbus | Toronto |
| Shots on Goal | 30 | 29 |
| Faceoff % | 31.3% | 68.8% |
| Power Play | 0/2 (0%) | 0/2 (0%) |
| Penalty Minutes | 4 | 4 |
| Hits | 15 | 27 |
| Blocked Shots | 25 | 14 |
| Giveaways | 20 | 14 |
| Takeaways | 2 | 3 |
Blue Jackets Players Highlight
Adam Fantilli 2G 1A 3PTS TOI 22:19 +2 3SOG
Dmitri Voronkov 1G 1A 2PTS TOI 17:38
Zach Werenski 3A 3PTS TOI 28:48 6SOG +2
Jett Greaves 2 goals on 29 shots .931%
Three Stars of the Game
1- A. Fantilli G: 2 | A: 1 | P: 3
2- J. Tavares G: 1 | A: 1 | P: 2
3- D. Voronkov G: 1 | A: 1 | P: 2
Final Thoughts
The Blue Jackets showed real maturity in this one. Blowing a 2–0 lead on the road can rattle a young group, but Columbus didn’t fold. Instead, they leaned on the best players on the ice—Fantilli and Werenski—and trusted their structure in overtime.
Fantilli’s confidence is skyrocketing, and Werenski quietly putting up three assists reminds everyone why he’s the engine of this team’s transition game.
Jet Greaves also deserves credit. He was busy early while Toronto controlled the first period, but he kept the game within reach long enough for Columbus to settle in.
The Jackets still need to tighten up puck management, especially in the neutral zone, and they can’t afford to be dominated this consistently on faceoffs.
But you can’t complain when your young core delivers two points in a tough barn like Scotiabank Arena.
Next Game
Saturday, Nov. 22 at Detroit, 1:00 PM EDT
Columbus heads to Detroit for an early-afternoon matchup against a Red Wings team that loves to push pace. With a quick turnaround and an emotional OT win behind them, the Jackets will need to bring their legs early.
Detroit’s transition game can punish slow starts, so discipline and defensive awareness will matter from puck drop.
If Fantilli stays hot and the Jackets get another strong outing from the back end, they’ve got a real shot to keep this streak rolling.
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