It seems fitting that Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins would earn his first career shutout in Las Vegas, a city forever linked to the iconic entertainer he was named after.
Merzlikins made 27 saves, leading the Blue Jackets to a 3-0 win over the Vegas Golden Knights on Saturday night.
“When I took a power nap, I had a dream about getting my first shutout here in Vegas,” said the 25-year-old rookie, who has stepped in for injured starter Joonas Korpisalo. “It was just a dream, but it feels really good now that it’s real. I’ll enjoy it and then move on.”
Merzlikins, who improved to 5-6-4 in 17 games this season, dedicated his performance to his late father. His locker is always adorned with religious items, including one given to him by his grandmother in memory of his dad, Vjaceslav.
“I’m really superstitious, and I talk to him during games,” said Merzlikins, who has little memory of his father, who passed away when Elvis was just three years old. “I believe he’s helping me from up there.”
The rookie goaltender has started seven straight games for Columbus, going 5-2-0 since Korpisalo’s injury. Since Dec. 31, Merzlikins ranks among the NHL’s best goaltenders, with a .943 save percentage and a 1.88 goals-against average.
“He was solid and made key saves when needed,” said Columbus coach John Tortorella. “He let the game come to him.”
David Savard also helped the Blue Jackets with five blocked shots, contributing to a defensive performance that has seen Columbus allow just 70 goals over their last 31 games — the best in the league since Nov. 6.
Emil Bemstrom, Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Alexander Wennberg scored for Columbus, while Marc-Andre Fleury made 19 saves for the Golden Knights.
Columbus’s record has improved to 11-2-4 since Dec. 9, trailing only Tampa Bay for the most points in the NHL during that stretch.
The Golden Knights’ struggles in the first period continued, as they allowed the opening goal for the sixth consecutive game. Bemstrom’s power-play one-timer put Columbus up 1-0 late in the first. Vegas has been outscored 10-0 in the first period over their last four games and finished their seven-game homestand on a three-game losing streak.
“There was no physicality tonight,” Vegas coach Gerard Gallant said. “It was a soft game, and we have to play harder. It’s tough to end the homestand this way, but we have to move on and get better.”
Vegas fell behind 2-0 early in the second period when Dubois deflected a shot from the point by Scott Harrington. Wennberg finished the scoring with his first goal since Oct. 21.
Vegas’ power play struggled, going 0 for 3 on the night. Since Dec. 5, the Golden Knights have converted just 18.4% of their power-play chances, ranking 21st in the NHL.
The Golden Knights came close to breaking Merzlikins’ shutout early in the third period, but Reilly Smith’s shot hit the crossbar, leading to a premature celebration from the arena’s goal horn and smoke machines.
“I thought we started the game well, but after we missed on our power play and they scored on theirs, the game shifted,” Gallant said.
Game Notes:
- Vegas coach Gerard Gallant coached his 540th game and is six away from tying Hap Day for 61st on the NHL’s all-time list.
- Keegan Kolesar, drafted by Columbus in the third round of the 2015 draft, made his NHL debut for the Golden Knights.
- Columbus has killed off 10 consecutive Golden Knights power plays over the last five meetings.
Up Next:
- Blue Jackets: Host Boston on Tuesday night.
- Golden Knights: Visit Buffalo on Tuesday night.
