Charlie Coyle is scorching hot, and his forward line heated up with him in the Blue Jackets’ 4-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks on Jan. 30 at United Center.
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Coyle led the way for the Blue Jackets (26-20-7), who won their fourth straight game, improved to 8-1-0 in their last nine games and 7-1-0 under coach Rick Bowness. Coyle scored three goals and added an assist for his second career hat trick and four points to lead the way, while linemates Mathieu Olivier and Cole Sillinger finished with +3 plus/minus ratings each.
Jan 30, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Charlie Coyle (3) celebrates with center Cole Sillinger (4) after scoring against the Chicago Blackhawks during the second period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Olivier also added two points with a goal and assist, while Sillinger got his assist by deferring to Coyle for an insurance goal with the Blackhawks’ net empty. Coyle has added 13 points on nine goals and four assists in the past nine games, while Sillinger (1-3-4) and Olivier (2-2-4) have added four points each in the past three games.
The Blue Jackets now face the St. Louis Blues (20-25-9) on Jan. 31 at Enterprise Center to conclude a road back-to-back to start a three-game road trip that ends Feb. 3 at the New Jersey Devils.
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Zach Werenski finished with two assists for the Blue Jackets, who helped goalie Elvis Merzlikins (23 saves) earn the win in net. Werenski moved into a tie with Evan Bouchard (Edmonton Oilers) at 59 points each to lead all NHL defensemen in scoring.
Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar scored goals for the Blackhawks (21-25-9), who outshot Columbus 9-3 in the third period. Spencer Knight made 22 saves for Chicago.
Jan 30, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Mathieu Olivier (24) knocks down Chicago Blackhawks center Ryan Donato (8) during the first period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Coyle and Bedard exchanged goals in the final minute of the first period to make it 1-1 at the first intermission. Coyle capped at power play to put the Blue Jackets up 1-0 with 47 seconds left and Bedard responded by scoring off a rebound 2.7 seconds before the horn.
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Coyle’s second of the game made it 2-1 just 1:23 into the second period and Olivier made it 3-1 at 6:47 with a goal that was upheld after Chicago’s unsuccessful coaching challenge for goaltender interference. Nazar cut it to 3-2 for the Blackhawks 4:02 later, setting up a tightly-contested third period.
Jan 30, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Kent Johnson (91) and Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Wyatt Kaiser (44) chase the puck during the first period at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
The win pulls the Blue Jackets into a tie at 59 points with the Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals, eight points behind the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins for the final two wild-card spots in the Eastern Conference. They’re also fourth in the Metropolitan Division, ahead of the Capitals based on points percentage, and trail the New York Islanders (65 points) by six points for third place and the division’s final guaranteed playoff ticket.
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The Islanders host the Nashville Predators on Jan. 31 at UBS Arena in Elmont, New York, while the Capitals are off. The New Jersey Devils (58 points) and Philadelphia Flyers (57 points) are each in action, so the Blue Jackets must win again in St. Louis to guarantee they won’t be caught.
Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com and @BrianHedger.bsky.social
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Charlie Coyle leads Columbus Blue Jackets past Chicago Blackhawks