Columbus Blue Jackets at Vegas Golden Knights

NHL game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Vegas Golden Knights on Jan 08, 2026. Final score: Columbus Blue Jackets 3, Vegas Golden Knights 5.

StatusFinal
DateJan 08, 2026
VenueT-Mobile Arena
Columbus Blue Jackets score3
Vegas Golden Knights score5

Shot charts, expected goals (xG), Game Score and advanced box scores for this game are available on Hockey Alchemy.

Three Stars by Game Score

Ranked by Game Score, which rolls goals, assists, shot quality, play-driving and penalties into one number — so the best player is chosen by the box score, not by a vote.

PlayerPosGASOGTOIxGGame Score
1stTomas HertlC02516:090.642.28
2ndSean MonahanC02117:110.201.59
3rdMark StoneR12322:320.831.55

Scoring Summary

TimeTeamGoalAssistsStrengthScore (Columbus Blue Jackets–Vegas Golden Knights)
1st 08:24CBJBoone JennerZach Werenski, Sean Monahan5v51–0
1st 10:41CBJKent JohnsonSean Monahan, Boone Jenner5v52–0
1st 12:20VGKReilly SmithBen Hutton, Mitch Marner5v52–1
2nd 05:19VGKReilly SmithMitch Marner, Mark Stone6v52–2
2nd 13:07VGKJack EichelIvan Barbashev, Mark Stone5v52–3
2nd 18:44VGKMark StoneTomas Hertl, Jack Eichel5v42–4
3rd 14:28CBJKirill MarchenkoIvan Provorov, Adam Fantilli5v53–4
3rd 16:14VGKBrett HowdenKeegan Kolesar, Tomas Hertl5v53–5

Team Comparison

Columbus Blue JacketsVegas Golden Knights
Goals35
Shots on goal2526
Expected goals (xG)3.183.37
High-danger shots1911
Corsi %55.6%44.4%
Power play0/11/2
Faceoff %63.2%36.8%
Hits2819
Blocks1220
Giveaways1815
Takeaways48

Columbus Blue Jackets Skaters

PlayerPosGAPSOGTOIxGGame Score
Sean MonahanC022117:110.201.59
Boone JennerC112317:570.461.40
Kirill MarchenkoR101419:350.301.25
Adam FantilliC011018:120.051.22
Zach WerenskiD011128:000.141.07
Kent JohnsonC101316:410.320.84
Denton MateychukD000019:140.000.80
Ivan ProvorovD011524:130.170.68
Dmitri VoronkovL000116:290.110.58
Zachary Aston-ReeseL000010:260.040.31
Damon SeversonD000223:210.960.11
Mikael PyyhtiaL00009:270.04-0.00
Cole SillingerC000113:570.09-0.11
Mathieu OlivierR000013:400.08-0.25
Dante FabbroD000112:580.01-0.26
Charlie CoyleC000117:170.09-0.27
Brendan GaunceC000211:060.10-0.32
Egor ZamulaD000011:120.00-0.51

Vegas Golden Knights Skaters

PlayerPosGAPSOGTOIxGGame Score
Tomas HertlC022516:090.642.28
Mark StoneR123322:320.831.55
Brett HowdenC101311:040.501.36
Jack EichelC112422:400.191.18
Keegan KolesarR011212:020.201.10
Mitch MarnerR022117:400.021.06
Reilly SmithR202214:210.241.06
Zach WhitecloudD000122:520.020.50
Ben HuttonD011016:170.000.44
Braeden BowmanR00019:240.160.31
Noah HanifinD000024:540.010.25
Jeremy LauzonD000117:160.100.23
Ivan BarbashevL011120:470.270.16
Pavel DorofeyevR000011:350.130.02
Brandon SaadL000013:400.00-0.01
Kaedan KorczakD000118:220.02-0.08
Colton SissonsC000110:340.02-0.15
Dylan CoghlanD000015:580.01-0.16

Goaltending

GoalieTeamSVSASV%GSAxDecision
Jet GreavesColumbus Blue Jackets212680.8%-2.03L
Akira SchmidVegas Golden Knights222491.7%0.57W
Carter HartVegas Golden Knights01-100.0%-0.42

Analysis

The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 5–3 on Jan 08, 2026.

Vegas Golden Knights generated 3.37 expected goals to Columbus Blue Jackets's 3.18 — the run of play matched the result, with Vegas Golden Knights earning the better chances as well as the goals; by expected goals it was close to a coin flip.

Tomas Hertl led all skaters with a Game Score of 2.28 on 2 assists, 5 shots on goal.

Akira Schmid stopped 22 of 24, worth 0.57 goals saved above expected.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the Columbus Blue Jackets vs Vegas Golden Knights game?

The Vegas Golden Knights beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 5–3 on Jan 08, 2026.

What was the final score?

The final score was Vegas Golden Knights 5, Columbus Blue Jackets 3.

Who was the best player in this game?

By Game Score — a single-number summary of everything a skater did — Tomas Hertl led all skaters at 2.28, on 0G, 2A and 5 shots on goal.

Which team deserved to win by expected goals?

Vegas Golden Knights generated 3.37 expected goals and Columbus Blue Jackets generated 3.18, so Vegas Golden Knights created the better chances. That matches the result.

What were the shot totals?

Columbus Blue Jackets put 25 shots on goal and Vegas Golden Knights put 26. High-danger chances went 19 to 11.

How did the goaltenders play?

Jet Greaves stopped 21 of 26 (-2.03 goals saved above expected); Akira Schmid stopped 22 of 24 (0.57 goals saved above expected).