Elvis Merzlikins admitted he got a bit lucky, especially toward the end, but the Columbus Blue Jackets feel fortunate every time he takes the ice.
Merzlikins made a career-high 41 saves, earning his third shutout in four starts, as the Blue Jackets cruised to a 5-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday night, marking their fourth straight win.
The 25-year-old rookie, who previously starred in the Swiss professional league, is helping Columbus move on from Sergei Bobrovsky, the two-time Vezina Trophy winner who left for Florida in free agency last summer.
Merzlikins has posted an impressive 0.50 goals-against average and a remarkable .985 save percentage over his last four starts. The Latvian rookie has an 8-2-0 record since stepping in for the injured Joonas Korpisalo on Dec. 31.
“I think I was pretty lucky on a couple of saves tonight, especially the last ones,” Merzlikins said. “I didn’t have much reaction left in my arms, so I was slightly slow. Overall, it was a good game. We found a way.”
Cam Atkinson led the offensive charge with two goals and an assist, helping the Blue Jackets improve to 14-2-4 in their last 20 games. Alexander Wennberg, Jakob Lilja, and Nick Foligno also found the back of the net.
Despite being outshot 41-31, Columbus had Merzlikins to rely on in net.
“As a team, we played the first six minutes, then watched Elvis play the rest of the first and second periods,” coach John Tortorella said. “We played better in the third. I think Jersey, I don’t want to criticize, but I thought they knew it was 5-0, and a lot of wind came out of their sails, especially with our goaltending.”
Devils goalie Cory Schneider made his first start since Nov. 8 but was pulled late in the second period after allowing four goals. Schneider finished with 13 saves in 32:14, while Mackenzie Blackwood stopped 13 shots in relief.
After Merzlikins made several key saves early, including one where he alertly pounced on a puck that nearly deflected in off a teammate’s skate, Atkinson put the Blue Jackets on the board with a shot from the high slot that beat Schneider’s glove late in the first period. Merzlikins had to make 19 saves as the Devils pressured heavily in the opening period.
Atkinson doubled the lead with his second goal of the night just 21 seconds after Merzlikins helped kill off a power play in the second. In his second game back from an ankle injury, Atkinson scored from just inside the left circle after a slick setup by Emil Bemstrom.
Lilja extended the lead to 3-0 with a rebound goal at the doorstep with 8:02 left in the second, and 16 seconds later, Foligno tapped in a loose puck between Schneider’s pads. Despite being outshot 36-21, Columbus held a commanding 5-0 lead heading into the second intermission.
The Devils recognized Merzlikins’ stellar performance.
“He played an unbelievable game,” said All-Star forward Nico Hischier. “We had some big chances. He kept us from scoring, but that’s not an excuse. We should have gotten in front of him more and worked harder to get those dirty goals. It’s really frustrating.”
Game Notes:
- Wennberg extended his point streak to a season-high four games.
- Devils F Kevin Rooney returned after missing one game due to illness.
- Devils star F Kyle Palmieri missed his fourth game with a foot injury and was placed on injured reserve Thursday.
- Columbus F Sonny Milano was scratched for the second straight game.
- The Blue Jackets are 7-1-1 in their last nine home games.
UP NEXT:
- Devils: Travel to Ottawa on Monday.
- Blue Jackets: Face the New York Rangers on Sunday.
