The Blue Jackets had a night they’ll never forget Saturday in Ohio Stadium. (Photo credit: Mark Scheig/The Hockey Writers)

Blue Jackets Score Late to Defeat Red Wings at 2025 Stadium Series

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Mark Scheig | Last updated Mar 1, 2025 11:02 PM ET

The night everyone associated with the Columbus Blue Jackets waited for came at the 2025 Stadium Series. Against a desperate Detroit Red Wings’ team, the Blue Jackets bent but didn’t break. A late goal helped propel them to victory.

Justin Danforth scored the game-winning goal with just 2:17 left in regulation while Adam Fantilli added an empty netter to lift the Blue Jackets to a huge 5-3 win over the Red Wings in front 94,751 fans at Ohio Stadium. It was the second-highest attendance to watch a game in NHL history.

The story of the game was the Blue Jackets finding a way to grind out a win.

Game Recap

Just like Thursday night in Detroit, the first period ended 0-0. The Red Wings started strong knowing they had to play a lot better. They outshot the Blue Jackets 14-6.

Even though the Red Wings dominated the rest of the night in terms of shots and chances, it was the Blue Jackets that struck first. Denton Mateychuk became the trivia answer to who was the first Blue Jacket to score an outdoor goal? He pinched and fired the puck past Cam Talbot to open the scoring.

The Red Wings’ desperation level only increased after the 1-0 goal. Their vaunted power play got their first chance of the night and converted. Alex DeBrincat made it 1-1.

Then the Blue Jackets got a power play of their own. They scored quickly on it thanks to Kent Johnson’s pass to Dmitri Voronkov. It took just 32 seconds to extend it to 3-1 thanks to Mathieu Olivier’s backhanded wrap around. Postgame, Olivier said he’s never smiled bigger about a goal than that one.

The Blue Jackets had a night they’ll never forget Saturday in Ohio Stadium. (Photo credit: Mark Scheig/The Hockey Writers)

The Red Wings dominated the third period to the tune of 21-8 on the shot clock. They were able to erase the two-goal deficit to tie the game. Patrick Kane scored early while DeBrincat added his second goal of the night to make it 3-3 with just 3:24 left.

The game was ultimately decided on a bit of a controversial non-call. Danforth appeared to high stick Simon Edvinsson. The non-call created a scoring chance. Danforth scored off his own rebound the game-winning goal sending most of the 94,751 into a frenzy.

With the win, the Blue Jackets improved to 4-0-0 since the 4-Nations. They also scored at least five goals in four consecutive games for the first time in franchise history. Merzlikins was named the game’s first star after making 43 saves. Talbot stopped 16 of 20 in the loss.

The Blue Jackets own the first wildcard spot by two over the Red Wings. They now have their sights set on both the Devils and Hurricanes for third and second in the Metro. Up next is a four-game road trip starting in Tampa Bay on Tuesday night.

Meanwhile, the Red Wings host the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night.