Blue Jackets fumble another late lead, lose to Maple Leafs in OT

The Blue Jackets keep living for overtime by getting burned late in regulation.

Once again, despite Zach Werenski providing a 1-0 lead late in the third period, the Jackets couldn’t make it stand up and lost 2-1 to the Toronto Maple Leafs on William Nylander’s goal with 18 seconds left in OT. It was the third straight loss for the Blue Jackets (11-9-4), who started Jet Greaves (22 saves) in net.

Werenski gave the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead with 6:30 left in the the third to make up for one he scored in the second that was erased by a coaching challenge for offsides.

As has become a troubling trend, however, the Jackets couldn’t make the lead stand up. Easton Cowan tied it 1-1 for Maple Leafs with 3:17 left to eventually force OT for the second time in less than a week’s time.

They also blew a 2-1 lead Nov. 20 in Toronto before Adam Fantilli won it with an overtime goal.

Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com and @BrianHedger.bsky.social