The intensity in Elvis Merzlikins ' eyes was easy to spot.
Despite peering through a light blue cage on the front of a new mask design, there was no mistaking how much the Blue Jackets ' 4-3 shootout victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Monday at Nationwide Arena meant to their beleaguered goalie.
After sitting since Dec. 29 during a demotion from the No. 1 goaltending role and then making it public that he wanted a "new scenario" for his career , Merzlikins' emotions boiled over following his sprawling save against Pius Suter to end the shootout. He skated toward the stands, stared into a crowd of 17,622 and pumped his fist while cocking his knee in the air and sticking out his chest.
Elvis had transformed into Captain Morgan in goalie gear, a swashbuckling Latvian with a renewed point to prove and gigantic chip affixed to his shoulder — right next to an invisible parrot.
Elvis had returned to the building, fully unleashing the inner "monster" who'd become famous in Switzerland for performing Superman dives at center ice and twirling his goalie paddle like a guitar in Vegas after his first NHL shutout.
To those watching from the seats or at home on TV, it may have looked like a glorious rebound story to include in the annals of Blue Jackets history, a possible launching point for Merzlikins to finally unlock his full talents. Instead, it was just another chapter in the bumpy ride that his NHL career's been to date.
Merzlikins improved to 8-8-6 in 24 appearances, made 27 saves on 30 shots and stopped all four Canucks attempts by Andrei Kuzmenko , J.T. Miller , Elias Pettersson and Suter. His teammates flocked him after his victory glide, but that was about it for accolades.
"The overtime and penalty shots felt good," Merzlikins said. "I had to do this. I'm happy for the win and happy for the boys. After my last interview (Friday), everybody knows in here that I requested a trade. They were playing for me and blocking the shots for me. This was awesome, and I really appreciate them. It wasn't an easy game for me, and they made (it) feel easier. They let me feel the puck better and easier, and I appreciate them."
Right about then is when his bubbling cauldron of inner anger took control. Asked if his current situation was something he'd be able to succeed while playing through, until something changes, Merzlikins shot out a five-word reply.
"Yes, because I'm really mad," he said.
At whom?
"Don't worry about it," Merzlikins said. "It's personal."
There are only so many options to fill in the blanks. If he's mad at the front office, perhaps general manager Jarmo Kekalainen is the leading candidate. If it's the coaching staff, Vincent's name comes to mind after asking reporters Friday, "Who told you (Merzlikins) was a number three?"
Merzlikins, that's who.
The goalie himself had spoken a few minutes earlier and described his situation in those terms, saying he's not a number three and wouldn't take the demotion sitting down. Vincent, in response, said, "We have three goalies, put it that way," which may have prompted a shot across the bow from Merzlikins on Sunday.
"I worked as much as I could in practices, being third in the practice," he said. "We have three goalies, apparently. We don't have first, second and third. It wasn't easy. It was really important to win this game for me. I'm happy I can build that momentum."
It's a strange situation, to say the least, and there might not be a quick solution if the Blue Jackets can't locate a willing trade partner. It's notable the Toronto Maple Leafs , who could probably use a goalie change, had a pro scout checking out Sunday's game — but using scouting lists at games to match up trade partners is usually a foolish endeavor.
Meanwhile, we wait for a resolution as Elvis seethes.
Here are four other takeaways:
Cole Sillinger didn't score a goal and didn't assist on one either.
All the Blue Jackets' third-year center did, without contributing a point, was help them pull off an impressive comeback victory in every other way possible. Vincent said it might've been the best game Sillinger has played at the NHL level.
While centering Johnny Gaudreau and Yegor Chinakhov on the top line, Sillinger played a career-high 24:35 on 31 shifts, tied Chinakhov for the game-high in shots (seven each), finished with 11 attempted shots, delivered three hits and won 11 of 24 faceoffs (46%).
That's a Boone Jenner type of afternoon, which is becoming more commonplace from Sillinger with Jenner (fractured jaw) still out of the lineup.
"It's huge," Vincent said. "You're looking for that kind of guy. Sillinger is not just playing a good game. He's playing a 'playoff' game. It's low risk (with) good support, battle level, he can be physical, he goes to the net ... he could've scored five goals today. He was around the net, did a real good job on the power play, really good job on the (penalty kill). That's pretty good."
Sillinger's biggest impact happened while killing a penalty in overtime.
After breaking up a play, he skated hard after the loose puck and drew a tripping penalty on Pettersson that evened it up at 3-on-3 again. Along with Merzlikins' save in OT, that play was a key factor in the game getting to the shootout.
The Blue Jackets didn't wake up until they trailed 1-0 on J.T. Miller's goal 5:28 into the game, after the Canucks had already built large advantages in shots (9-0) and attempts (12-2).
What finally snapped them out of their afternoon slumber was Chinakhov's 11thgoal of the season, which Gaudreau set up with a nice pass for a play that tied it 1-1 just 27 seconds after Miller's goal. After getting a feed from Gaudreau, Chinakhov skated into the slot and beat Canucks goalie Casey DeSmith with a deke to the forehand for a shot inside the left post.
After that play, the Blue Jackets steadily worked their way back into the game in terms of shots, attempts and possession. They were outshot 14-8 in the first period, but outshot Vancouver by a whopping 25-10 margin in the second. They finished the game with a season-high 44 shots while outshooting the Canucks 44-30.
Chinakhov and Sillinger each had seven shots to lead all players in the game, and Gaudreau (two assists) added three more for 17 shots as a line.
Chinakhov, like Sillinger, is steadily progressing into a legitimate top-six threat as a powerful winger with speed, strength and a rocket shot. They were a big reason Vincent matched that line up against the Canucks' top group of Pettersson, Miller and Brock Boeser .
"Chinakhov's game is improving, and we see it before our eyes," Vincent said. "Him and Sillinger, they're just taking a step. They were very explosive out there and created a lot of chances against a very good line."
One of the biggest reasons the Canucks have vaulted into one of the NHL's top teams this season is their ability to play at a fast pace.
That doesn't mean they're the fastest team in the league, in terms of skating, but their ability to snap the puck around with crisp passes and smart plays makes it seem like they're moving extremely fast.
The Blue Jackets, on the other hand, are the opposite.
While they're still learning how to "play fast," the Jackets are actually fast at skating. According to the league's new "NHL Edge" statistics , which are generated by data chips sewn into jerseys, Columbus is the third-fastest team in the league in speed bursts of 20-plus mph (1,120) and 22-plus mph (56).
The only teams faster are the Edmonton Oilers and Tampa Bay Lightning , so the Jackets' coaching staff, saddled with a young team that struggles in offensive zone time, decided to tap into those speed bursts to create havoc and, hopefully, turnovers.
"Our bursts and how fast we go from 0 to 20 mph, we're really fast," Vincent said. "So, we didn't talk about their speed. We talked about their top line. We talked about their top two defensemen ( Quinn Hughes and Filip Hronek ), and those five guys are really dynamic. ... We wanted to pressure them, force them to make plays under pressure, and that's what we did."
Kirill Marchenko netted the lone goal of the shootout to help win it for the Blue Jackets, and he used a move that was borrowed from Alexandre Texier .
It doesn't have an official name, yet, but calling it "The Fire Poker" or "En Garde!" will have to suffice. It's a move that finishes with a quick shove of the puck through the skates of unsuspecting goalies and has proven to be effective, especially when unfurled in surprising fashion.
Marchenko first saw Texier do it two years ago, while he was still in Russia. He liked it, began practicing it and then used it successfully in the American Hockey League last season for the Cleveland Monsters, while Texier played in Switzerland.
This time, the incredibly skilled Russian caught DeSmith with it to earn the Blue Jackets an NHL win.
"He stole it from Tex, I think," Vincent said. "That was dirty."
It was par for the course for Marchenko, who also scored a power play goal this season with a no-look shot from the left circle that went between his own legs, the legs of a Buffalo Sabres defenseman and under the crossbar.
"I have three, four shootout (moves) that are working every time, and I just choose one, two or three," Marchenko said. "Sometimes, I look a little bit at the goalie (on the bench), because I wouldn't do this move, but after ( Kent Johnson 's) shootout, (DeSmith) didn't see it. He was waiting while (Johnson) was stickhandling, so I just said, 'Yes, it will work.'"
It did, and it paved the way for Merzlikins' clinching save at the other end.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Elvis Merzlikins lifts Columbus Blue Jackets over Vancouver Canucks
