Blue Jackets’ Merzlikins gets Game 4 start in net vs. Maple Leafs

Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella doesn’t mince words when describing the start of Elvis Merzlikins’ NHL career, says "he was awful," but he started respecting the game, and has now grown into a terrific goalie.

Elvis Merzlikins will get the start in net for the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday night for Game 4 of their qualifying-round series against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Merzlikins replaced Joonas Korpisalo mid-way through the second period of Thursday’s Game 3 and stopped all 21 shots he faced as the Blue Jackets rallied from three goals down to defeat the Maple Leafs 4-3 in overtime.

The Blue Jackets can advance to the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs with a Game 4 win in Toronto.

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