Elvis stands on his head in Blue Jackets win
The Columbus Blue Jackets beat the slumping New Jersey Devils 2-1 on Friday night.
The Jackets took the lead 10 minutes into the game when Johnny Gaudreau took a drop pass from Boone Jenner and then made a beeline down to the right of goalie Akira Schmid and went below the end line, who then made a sharp pass back through the crease area to a waiting Boone Jenner, who slammed it past Schmid.
Three minutes later the Devils would tie it when Alexander Holtz scored on Elvis. The puck was stolen by the Devils Palat who gave it to Holtz who left no doubt. Jake Bean was the unfortunate Jacket who was pickpocketed.
With 37 seconds left in the first period, Eric Robinson took a beautiful stretch pass from Justin Danforth, a pass that Robinson caught on the opposing blue line. Robinson gathered it up and was in alone on Schmid for a breakaway chance. He then snapped a shot past Schmid to make it 2-1. The Bellmawr, New Jersey native would get his first goal of the season, which ended up being the game-winner, as the game would see no more goals scored.
At the end of two periods, the CBJ would lead on the scoreboard 2-1, and the shot clock 19-18, but Jersey would press hard in the third. They would outshoot the CBJ 20-9 in the third, as well as have a power-play, but couldn't solve Merzlikins.
The Devils would go 0-2 on the power-play and get 8 shots off at Elvis, but couldn't get any through. The Jackets had three power plays, including a four-minute double minor, but they couldn't score on their man advantages either.
All in all, it was a fairly even game on Friday. The Jackets held their own against the high-powered Devils. Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt had 14 shots between the two of them and played 24 minutes a piece. The Devils had their chances, but Elvis Merzlikins stood on his head and beat the Devils 2-1.
Elvis Merzlikins was spectacular against New Jersey.
Final Stats
CBJ appPlayer Notes
- Johnny Gaudreau had an assist and 2 shots in 20 minutes of ice time.
- Boone Jenner scored his 11th goal of the season. Jenner is just 4 goals off the league lead.
- Erik Gudbranson recorded his 7th assist and has 9 points.
- Eric Robinson netted his first goal of the season in his 2nd game back from the AHL.
The Jackets will now travel to Carolina to face the Hurricanes on Sunday at 5 p.m. The Hurricanes were beaten 8-2 on Friday by Tampa Bay.
Join Jason Newland's Columbus Blue Jacket page on Bunches, a new app that connects sports fans. Also, you can watch a new YouTube game show about the Blue Jackets, Around the Fifth Line.