Blue Jackets’ Joonas Korpisalo to start Game 1 vs. Maple Leafs

John Tortorella addresses the media ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets' play-in round match up, stating that Joonas Korpisalo will start in goal, and how they will match up against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Columbus Blue Jackets will turn to Joonas Korpisalo as their starting goaltender for Game 1 of their Stanley Cup qualifier series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Head coach John Tortorella would not elaborate on why he chose Korpisalo over Elvis Merzlikins but did say that both are capable to start. In eight career games against the Leafs, Korpisalo has a 5-3 record with a .914 save percentage and went 1-1 against Toronto this season.

The 26-year-old had a 19-12-5 record with a 2.60 goals-against average and a .911 save percentage this season. Merzlikins stepped in with Korpisalo out with an injury, playing in 33 games and posted a 13-9-8 record with a 2.35 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage.

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