Elvis Merzlikins, Blue Jackets shut out struggling Islanders

Field Level Media|published: Wed 30th October, 21:52 2024

NHL: New York Islanders at Columbus Blue Jackets

Oct 30, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90 flips the puck after making a save against the New York Islanders in the first period at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

Elvis Merzlikins made 28 saves for the Columbus Blue Jackets in a 2-0 win against the visiting New York Islanders on Wednesday night.

Merzlikins earned the opportunity to start consecutive games for the first time this season after making 31 stops in a 6-1 win against the Edmonton Oilers on Monday.

After missing out on a shutout by 27 seconds against the Oilers, Merzlikins responded by recording his 11th NHL shutout against the Islanders.

Damon Severson broke a scoreless tie in the third period and Justin Danforth scored into an empty net for the Blue Jackets, who have won two in a row for the first time this season.

Semyon Varlamov made 24 saves for the Islanders, who have one win in regulation through their first 10 games.

Severson broke the scoreless tie at 5:43 into the third period.

Kevin Labanc helped win the puck on the forecheck and Sean Kuraly got it out to Severson at the right point. He made a move to get around New York winger Hudson Fasching and then carried the puck deep into the Islanders zone before taking a sharp angle shot from just above the goal line.

The puck hit the skate of Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock, who was trying to box out Columbus center James van Riemsdyk, and was redirected into his own net for a 1-0 lead.

The Islanders pulled Varlamov for the extra skater with about 2 1/2 minutes left and Danforth scored into the empty net with 2:03 left for a 2-0 lead.

The Islanders, who were coming off a 3-1 loss to the visiting Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday, have been shut out four times in 10 games this season.

Severson briefly appeared to score with 1:32 left in the first period, but it was quickly waved off for goalie interference.

The Islanders went on the first power play of the game at 13:50 of the second period when Danforth was called for interference on Adam Pelech, which had sprung a 2-on-1 break.

The Islanders had a 11-7 advantage in shots on goal in the second period to give them an 16-15 edge heading to the third.

--Field Level Media

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