Zach Werenski(16), Dante Fabbro(4), and Kirill Marchenko(20) scored the goals for Columbus, and goaltender Elvis Merzļikins was phenomenal, stopping 31 of 33 Kings shots in the win.

They won their fifth straight game at home because of skill, defensive plays in their own zone, an impressive ability to counterpunch, goalie Elvis Merzlikins ... All Zach Werenski does at ...

The Blue Jackets jumped up by three goals, which was too much for the struggling Sharks. The Jackets would put away San Jose 4-1.

Zach Werenski scored his 16th goal of the season, extending his home points streak to 19 games. He tied John Van Boxmeer for the 5th longest streak in NHL history. With the goal, he has overtaken Cale Makar in points by a defenseman and tied him with goals by a defenseman.

The Columbus Blue Jackets remain in the thick of the playoff race in the Eastern Conference as the calendar is about ready to flip to February. Several individual performances are worth noting as to why the team is in the hunt.

Saturday marked the 19th straight game at home in which Werenski has registered at least a point, the longest streak in franchise history.

Related: Columbus Blue Jackets (53 pts) vs. Los Angeles Kings (57 pts) Game Preview. Projected Lineup **Lines Subject to Change Before game time. Dmitri Voronkov - Adam Fantilli -

Jason Newland is the Site Editor and Reporter for the Columbus Blue Jackets team site with The Hockey News. A resident of Columbus, Jason has spent 10 years writing about the Blue Jackets and in his spare time hangs with his son Trevor, plays softball, and watches all sports. You can follow him at @F1reTheCannon.

TORONTO - Adam Fantilli joked he was paying to play Wednesday. With a convoy of supporters heading south to Scotiabank Arena from nearby Nobleton, Ont., to see his Blue Jackets take on the Toronto Maple Leafs, the 20-year-old centre was happy to cover some of the tickets. It was money well spent.

The Jackets weren't given much of a chance in this game, but they played a true "Team Game" to upset Cup favorite Toronto. They've now outscored the Maple Leafs 11-3 in two games this season.

Last night, one of the most confusing but hilarious moments happened between Columbus Blue Jackets' Elvis Merzļikins and Toronto Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews. Seven minutes into the first period, Merzļikins and Matthews both lost their sticks at the same ...

Werenski notched an assist, three blocked shots, two PIM and a plus-2 rating in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the Maple Leafs. Werenski was held off the scoresheet in the previous two contests.