Columbus Blue Jackets hang on against New Jersey Devils, win second straight: 4 takeaways
NEWARK, N.J. ― The last time Elvis Merzlikins was at Prudential Center, the place known “The Rock,” it was a brutal afternoon for him and the Blue Jackets.
That was last season, Oct. 30, 2022, and Merzlikins was lit up in a 7-1 rout by the New Jersey Devils while his teammates hung him out to dry. There was a long team meeting afterward, grievances were aired and then the Jackets hopped on a plane bound for Finland.
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Saturday, surrounded by reporters with his hat on backward and a sweat-soaked towel wrapped around his neck, Merzlikins immediately recalled that day as "miserable," more than a year later — after a clutch 37-save performance to down the Devils 2-1 at Prudential Center.
Things were a lot different this time, as Merzlikins, his teammates and the goal posts combined to hold the Devils (8-9-1) to one goal in a nail-biter the Jackets won by running out the clock.
"The first two periods, we put the pressure (on them) and the third period they put the pressure on us," Merzlikins said. "The good part, we were blocking shots, we were doing everything perfectly in the defensive zone. That was huge and that was why we got this win."
It was the second win in a row for the Blue Jackets (6-11-4), who ended a nine-game winless streak Wednesday with a 7-3 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. Boone Jenner and Eric Robinson scored goals in the first for the Jackets, who were outshot 38-28 overall and 20-9 in the third period.
"I need a shower right now," Blue Jackets coach Pascal Vincent said. "I think I had a good sweat too. It was good. We're learning to play the right way in the second period, managing the lead, and Elvis was solid when we needed him (in the third)."
Here are four takeaways:
Elvis Merzlikins, Columbus Blue Jackets make amends with gritty win over New Jersey Devils
What a difference a season can make.
Last season, the high-flying Devils gave the Blue Jackets fits every time they played, including two blowouts at Prudential Center.
It could’ve gone that way again Saturday, but Merzlikins and the defensive effort in front of him were remarkable while preserving the 2-1 lead. Left on the Jackets’ list of things to improve is learning how to play with a slim lead and not sit back for an entire period, but they made it work this time.
Merzlikins stopped all 20 shots he faced in the third to make it stand up, getting a little key help from his net’s posts to keep the Devils from scoring more than once. He was asked what was going through his mind in the third, as the Devils poured a deluge of shots on him.
“Keep shooting, baby, I’m warm,” Merzlikins said. “I was doing well, reading the game well. My defensemen were clearing the vision for me, so it was perfect. Obviously, it’s hard when (so many) shots are coming, but at the same time, I love it. Just keep shooting. I love when they shoot 40 times on me.”
Eric Robinson happy to make NHL return, motivated to stay in Columbus Blue Jackets’ lineup
Eric Robinson knew the Blue Jackets’ roster was overloaded with forwards to start the season.
It just didn’t truly hit home until he was placed on waivers, cleared and was assigned to the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters after playing in the Jackets’ season-opening loss to the Philadelphia Flyers at Nationwide Arena.
“I knew we had a lot of guys,” Robinson said. “That was clear in camp. There was kind of a logjam of forwards, so I guess I was a bit surprised (by it), but I kind of realized there was nothing I could really do but just get back to work.”
Even that included frustration.
Robinson was sidelined by an ankle injury after just three games and missed 10 days. He eventually got back into Cleveland’s lineup and was recalled by the Jackets prior to facing the Blackhawks on Wednesday. The demotion was a blunt reminder of exactly how The NHL works for many players.
Robinson had spent at least 50 games in the NHL each of the prior four seasons, including the past two exclusively in Columbus.
“It’s just a reminder that jobs in the NHL are precious and to never take them for granted,” he said. “Any game you get back in, like the other night (against Chicago) and today, it’s an opportunity to prove something and earn a job. That’s the reality of the NHL is earning a job every night.”
Putting the Blue Jackets up 2-1 with 36 seconds left in the first period was also special. Robinson, who’s from Haddonfield, New Jersey, had six family members at the game, including his parents and wife.
Columbus Blue Jackets catch a break with latest Patrik Laine health scare
Laine started this season wanting to stay healthy, curious to see what his point-per-game scoring pace from the past two years would look like over a full NHL campaign.
He’d been sidelined by multiple issues that caused him to miss a combined 53 games the past two years and was beyond tired of sitting out. His health lasted almost four games before an illegal hit to the head by Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson sidelined Laine nine games.
This was his seventh game back from the concussion and second since sitting out as a healthy scratch for the first time in his NHL career. Getting caught in the face with Alexander Holtz’s stick late in the first period, which required stitches and drew a four-minute power play, matched up perfectly with Laine’s recent health luck.
He finished that period but missed most of the second while getting stitched up, returning with 3:31 left in the middle period. He finished the game looking fine other than his stitch work.
Adam Fantilli keeping positive outlook amid Columbus Blue Jackets’ rough start
This was the 21st game of Fantilli’s NHL career and the Blue Jackets are 6-11-4 heading into the 22nd game Sunday at the Carolina Hurricanes.
Poor records are common for teams that add high draft picks like Fantilli, the third overall pick last summer, but he's keeping a healthy perspective thus far. The 19-year old “can’t stand losing,” but is able to wipe the slate clean each day.
“I hate to lose,” Fantilli said. “It’s frustrating, but at the same time, I get to wake up every day and come to the rink and play in the NHL. … you can either look at it (negatively) or look at it like, ‘I’m playing my rookie year in the NHL and trying to have an impact on a team to try and get wins.”
Fantilli’s impact falls on the inconsistent side for now, like most rookies, but he’ll gain consistency the longer he plays and maintains a positive outlook. The high points from his first 21 games have already been memorable.
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While compiling a scoring line of four goals, six assists and 10 points, Fantilli’s on-ice bursts have included elite shooting, passing and skating skills that could help the Blue Jackets for years. Continued losing could become a motivational challenge over a long season, but Fantilli has a plan to avoid it.
“I’m not looking at it where we (had this losing streak) and that’s going to be a downer on my rookie year,” he said. “I’m more focusing on how I can help the team turn it into a win streak."
The Jackets are off to a good start with consecutive wins for the first time in a month.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets' takeaways after Merzlikins leads win over Devils
