Detroit Red Wings @ Columbus Blue Jackets: 2026 Preseason Game 1

Welcome back, 5th Line! It's finally hockey season again! 

The Columbus Blue Jackets had three alternate captains on the ice tonight. A permanent captain has not been announced after Boone Jenner signed with the Washington Capitals this offseason. Tonight, the A's were worn by Dante Fabbro, Mathieu Oliver, and Ivan Proverov. A good mix of veterans led the team tonight, and this will certainly add to the speculation about who might wear the 'C' this season, or if the team may choose to have all 'A's. Time will tell, but the clock is ticking for a final decision to be made!

It's important to note that Adam Fantilli hasn't taken part in practice and will not appear in a preseason game until he signs a new contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He is a restricted free agent, so we don't have to worry about losing him. What does concern me is the time he's missing on the ice and in the locker room with the team ahead of the regular season. I feel his contract should've been done far sooner. I hope he gets a good deal and that it's finalized very soon. Now, onto the preseason game recap!   

The first period of the 2026 Columbus Blue Jackets' preseason started fast as Jet Greaves made two incredible saves early on. Thankfully, the Blue Jackets slowed things down afterward. The period ended with both teams getting a power-play chance, but neither cashed in. The score was as it started, 0-0. The shots on goal were 11 for the Red Wings and 3 for the Blue Jackets. The highlight of this period was Jet Greaves, who looks like this offseason was an Olympic Break, picking up right where he left off! I love to see it. 

The middle period would be the period of fights. No, seriously, at 4:35 it was Red Wings' Carter Bear and Blue Jackets' James Malatesta going to the box for roughing. Then, at 15:40, Red Wings' Kienan Draper and Blue Jackets' Luke Tuch each got five minutes for fighting. By the time the period ended, between roughing, fighting majors, and an interference call against each team at different times, the Red Wings would have one power play this period, and our Blue Jackets would have two. But, just as was true in period 1, no scores would come from any of these power play opportunities, and we'd still be tied at 0-0 after forty minutes of play! Jet Greaves would be done for the night after this period, where he stopped another 5 shots on goal by the Red Wings. He'd have a perfect save percentage of 1.00, going 16/16! The Blue Jackets would also lead in shots on goal this period with 12. The unfortunate news of this period is that Dante Fabbro would go back to the locker room after blocking a shot, and it was announced early in period 3 that he would not return. Hopefully it's nothing to worry about, but I'll keep you posted on my social media pages if news comes out that it's an ongoing issue. It is characterized as 'upper body'. 

Pheonix Copley would take over the Blue Jackets net for the last twenty minutes of regulation. The Blue Jackets would do a decent job protecting him and the net, even as the penalties and fights continued. After Nate Danielson went to the bench for 2 minutes after hooking Mathieu Oliver at 2:18, and Blue Jackets' Mikael Pyyhthia got 2 minutes in the box for holding Nate Danielson, neither would result in a power play or a shorthanded goal! After a dangerous hit to a fellow Blue Jacket, Guiliaune Richard, at 17:53, Mxx McCue would step up and defend in a fight with Red Wings' Shine Dominik. Both men would get a 5-minute fighting major, but Red Wings' Shine Dominik would also get 2 minutes additionally for cross-checking Guillaume Richard. The power play would again yield no score, and the clock would run out in regulation, taking us to overtime!  Ah, normalcy, I've missed you. The final period would have just 2 shots on goal for the Red Wings, but 6 for the Blue Jackets. 

Overtime would see the Blue Jackets have another chance on the power play after Red Wings' Carter Bear was sent to the box for holding Blue Jackets' Denton Mateychuk. But, of course, no goal would come from that power play at 3:28. So, to the shootout we go! 

Conor Garland would score a beauty in round 1 of the shootout. Phoenix Copley would deny all three shooters for the Red Wings, and the Blue Jackets win in overtime, 1-0! 

I will say this: tonight was the night of goaltending for both teams. I'm happy to say that we saw Jet Greaves pick up right where he left off last season, and Phoenix Copley hold his own in the last period of regulation and deny all 3 Red Wings shooters in the shootout. If I had to pick Stars of the Game tonight, Conor Garlund would be 1st, Jet Greaves would be second, and Phoenix Copley would be 3rd. (I'd like to point out that this was the exact order of Stars of the Game, and I typed this before they announced them!)

The Blue Jackets will play their second of four preseason games tomorrow night in Buffalo, New York, against the Sabers. The puck will drop at 7:00 p.m., and I'll be eager to see who Rick Boness plays, as it will be an excellent warm-up, since the Sabres will be our first game of the regular season on October 1st at home. When the Blue Jackets post their roster for tomorrow night, I'll repost it on my Facebook and X accounts. 

Hockey is back in Columbus, and it starts with a thrilling overtime win. What more can you ask for, 5th Line! 

GO CBJ!