Replay: Columbus Blue Jackets overwhelmed by Winnipeg Jets

Story by

Story by
Replay: Columbus Blue Jackets overwhelmed by Winnipeg Jets

Brian Hedger, Columbus Dispatch · The Columbus Dispatch

Sat, Nov 2, 2024 ·

14 min read

About Our Ads

The Blue Jackets hit a big bump in the road Friday night at Nationwide Arena, falling 6-2 to the Winnipeg Jets to start their first of 12 back-to-back this season.

They'll play again Saturday at Capital One Arena in Washington in a game slated to start at 5 p.m., just 22 hours after the puck dropped Friday.

"You don't want to think about these too long," center Sean Kuraly said. "This is early in the season to be talking about maybe being tired (in a back-to-back), so I think we're ready to go (Saturday). We want to bounce back quickly. Lucky for us, we don't have to think about it long."

Here are updates and analysis against the Jets:

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dylan DeMelo (2) and Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Justin Danforth (17) battle for the puck during the first period at Nationwide Arena on November 1, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.

FINAL: Winnipeg Jets 6, Columbus Blue Jackets 2

The Blue Jackets found out what other NHL teams are learning about the Winnipeg Jets, who pressured them from start to finish in a dominant 6-2 victory witnessed by 15,823 at Nationwide Arena.

"Obviously, they're a good hockey club that has really good sticks," Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason said. "They got it on us quickly. They've got a lot of speed up front, and we got surprised by it a little bit, but we fed into it or compounded the issues by making soft plays out of our zone. They got sticks on pucks, turned it over and then away they went."

Winnipeg Jets left wing Kyle Connor (81) and Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (19) keep their eye on the puck during the first period at Nationwide Arena on November 1, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.

Nikolaj Ehlers led the way with a hat trick for the Jets, who got 20 saves from backup goalie Eric Comrie while improving to 10-1-0 in their first 11 games. Mason Appleton , Josh Morrissey and Gabe Vilardi scored the other three goals for Winnipeg, while Sean Kuraly and Sean Monahan provided the Jackets' goals.

Elvis Merzlikins took the loss in net, allowing all six goals while under siege the entire game.

"If you have a really good team and you allow them the opportunity to keep coming at us, they're going to get opportunities and they're going to score on them," Evason said. "We held our own after a little bit there, and we were fine, but we have to play a way more intelligent game, period. Forget about a really good opponent, the best team, points-wise, in the National Hockey League."

GOAL, 3rd period, 14:54: Winnipeg Jets 6, Columbus Blue Jackets 2

We have another six-goal game at Nationwide Arena. This one is considerably less enjoyable for the Blue Jackets, who now trail by four goals after Gabe Vilardi nets the Jets' six tally of the night from the low slot.

GOAL, 3rd period, 11:39: Winnipeg Jets 5, Columbus Blue Jackets 2

The rout is officially on thanks to a power-play goal for the Jets, who've upped their lead to a three-goal margin on a one-time blast from defenseman Josh Morrissey at the left point.

3rd period, 10:22: Winnipeg Jets 5, Columbus Blue Jackets 2

Through the first half of the third, it's just more of the same. Heavy pressure from Winnipeg and the Blue Jackets just doing their best to fend it off, thus far staying within remote striking distance down by two goals. Mathieu Olivier was just sent off for cross-checking, as well. Jets get another power play, which is not good for the shorthanded Jackets.

3rd period start: Winnipeg Jets 4, Columbus Blue Jackets 2

The Blue Jackets have 1:13 of carryover time on the power play, which could spark a comeback effort if they can utilize it. The puck is on the ice for the final 20 minutes.

2nd intermission: Winnipeg Jets 4, Columbus Blue Jackets 2

The Blue Jackets are hanging in there, barely, against the NHL's hottest team to start the season. Winnipeg has dominated the first 40 minutes, building a wide margin in shots (31-17) and a two-goal lead going into the third period. That's not an insurmountable lead, but the Blue Jackets have to figure out a way to get more possession time inside the Jets' zone.

GOAL, 2nd period, 18:51: Winnipeg Jets 4, Columbus Blue Jackets 2

Just that quickly, more Jets pressure leads to Elvis Merzlikins attempting to clear the puck with a swat from in front of his crease and sending it directly to Nikolaj Ehlers for his third goal of the game. The hat trick for Ehlers is the fifth of his career. He also has seven goals on the season now.

GOAL, 2nd period, 16:30: Winnipeg Jets 3, Columbus Blue Jackets 2

That didn't take long. Sean Monahan pots one against his former team to cap the power play just eight seconds after the door closed on Schiefele. Werenski is getting initial credit for the goal, but it might be changed to Monahan, who appeared to redirect Werenski's shot with a tip in the slot. Either way, the Jackets are back within a goal and have new life late in the second.

2nd period, 16:22: Winnipeg Jets 3, Columbus Blue Jackets 1

Winnipeg Jets center Vladislav Namestnikov (7) ends up in the net against Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) during the second period at Nationwide Arena on November 1, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio. At left is Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Mathieu Olivier (24).

The Jackets get their first power play of the evening when Jets center Mark Schiefele gets sent off for tripping Jake Christiansen with 3:38 left in the second. Winnipeg still has a two-goal lead.

2nd period, 7:54: Winnipeg Jets 3, Columbus Blue Jackets 1

Winnipeg has fully taken control of this game now. It's only a two-goal lead for the Jets because of several high-level saves from Elvis Merzlikins, who appears to be fine after Vladislav Namestnikov 's barreled into him a couple minutes ago with help from Mathieu Olivier.

The Jets are now on a power play with Dmitri Voronkov in the box for slashing. That's not a great scenario for the Blue Jackets, since Winnipeg entered the game first in the NHL in power-play success rate (44.8%).

GOAL, 2nd period, 2:20: Winnipeg Jets 3, Columbus Blue Jackets 1

The Blue Jackets are getting quite a lesson tonight from the Jets in puck possession and sustained pressure. This time, it leads to Mason Appleton one-timing a blast past Merzlikins to increase Winnipeg's lead to a two-goal cushion early in the second.

Neal Pionk with the setup feed for the primary assist, Adam Lowry gets the secondary assist for some hard work low in the zone.

2nd period start: Winnipeg Jets 2, Columbus Blue Jackets 1

The Jets and Blue Jackets are back at it for the second period, when the home side will try to gain more possession time in the Winnipeg zone. Things are not off to a good start in that department for the Jackets in the first minute of the period.

Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Mikael Pyyhtia (82) goes down in front of Winnipeg Jets goaltender Eric Comrie (1), Winnipeg Jets goaltender Eric Comrie (1), Winnipeg Jets center Adam Lowry (17) and Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dylan Samberg (54) during the first period at Nationwide Arena on November 1, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.

1st intermission: Winnipeg Jets 2, Columbus Blue Jackets 1

Other than Sean Kuraly's first goal of the season, the Blue Jackets had some issues in the first period. Winnipeg has large advantages at the first break in total attempts (27-16) and shots on goal (12-8), including both of Nikolaj Ehlers' goals.

According to Natural Stat Trick, though, the Blue Jackets were nearly even with the Jets in high-danger 5-on-5 scoring chances (6-5) in the game's first 20 minutes.

GOAL, 1st period, 15:14: Winnipeg Jets 2, Columbus Blue Jackets 1

Winnipeg again presses the issue inside the Columbus blue line and nets a goal because of it. The Blue Jackets were unable to clear the puck when given a chance, it goes to Ehlers again, and this time he zips one past Merzlikins from the right circle past the blocker on the far side for his second goal of the game and sixth of the season. Unassisted goal.

GOAL, 1st period, 11:02: Columbus Blue Jackets 1, Winnipeg Jets 1

Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Kuraly (7) celebrates after scoring against Winnipeg Jets goaltender Eric Comrie (1) during the first period at Nationwide Arena on November 1, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.

The Blue Jackets' fourth line gets it back to even at one goal each way. James van Riemsdyk , standing behind the Winnipeg net, finds Kuraly drifting down the slot for a redirection past Comrie.

Kuraly's first goal of the season knots it up and gets the home crowd back into it.

GOAL, 1st period, 5:13: Winnipeg Jets 1, Columbus Blue 0

Winnipeg's early pressure pays off with the game's first goal, scored by Nikolaj Ehlers with a clapper from distance off the rush.

After winding up in the neutral zone, Ehlers carried into the Columbus zone and pulled up high in the left circle for a slap shot that beat Elvis Merzlikins under the glove, over the pad and inside the far post for his fifth goal of the season. Colin Miller gets the assist.

1st period: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Winnipeg Jets underway

The puck is down at Nationwide Arena and there's hockey being played between the surprisingly strong Blue Jackets and red hot Jets. It's 0-0 early.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Winnipeg Jets pregame

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) blocks a shot in the second period at Nationwide Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.

Warmups are over, we're waiting for lineups to be finalized and hockey will soon be played here at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets didn't have any changes from the projected lineup posted earlier in today's blog roll. Tonight is also First Responders Night, so maybe Zach Werenski — proud son of a first responder in Grosse Point, Michigan — will light the lamp tonight.

Here's a look at starters, lineups, scratches, coaches and officials.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Winnipeg Jets goaltending matchup

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) prepares to block shots without his stick in the second period at Nationwide Arena on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024 in Columbus, Ohio.

Blue Jackets: Elvis Merzlikins will make his third straight start since missing two weeks while allowing a hand injury to heal and waiting for a chance to start during a stretch of four straight starts by Daniil Tarasov.

Merzlikins has been dynamite since returning, coming within 26.8 seconds of posting back-to-back shutouts in victories over the Edmonton Oilers and New York Islanders . The Jackets' highest-paid goalie has stopped 58 of the past 59 shots he's faced, contributing to a 2-2-0 record, 2.05 goals-against average and .925 save percentage.

Jets:Comrie is making his third appearance of the season for Winnipeg. He's 2-0-0 with a 3.00 GAA and .915 save percentage. Comrie, who split last season between the Buffalo Sabres and AHL Rochester, made his NHL debut for the Jets on April 6, 2017 at Nationwide Arena. He earned a win in that game over the Blue Jackets, making 35 saves on 39 shots.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Winnipeg Jets statistical matchup

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (8) skates backwards down the ice during the NHL game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Winnipeg Jets at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021.

Here's a look at how the Blue Jackets stack up against the Jets at 5-on-5, using metrics tracked by Natural Stat Trick . Corsi measures total attempts (shots on goal, misses, blocked attempts) sent toward the opposing net. Fenwick measures unblocked attempts (shots, misses) and shots are attempts that get through on target for either goals or saves.

5v5	Blue Jackets	Jets
Corsi % (CF-CA)	48.7% (400-421)	49.2% (505-522)
Fenwick % (FF-FA)	50% (294-294)	48.6% (358-379)
Shots on goal % (SF-SA)	51.4% (197-186)	49.7% (248-251)
Goals % (GF-GA)	63.6% (28-16)	53.7% (22-19)
Expected goals % (xGF-xGA)	48.5% (16.5-17.5)	46.1% (19.2-22.4)
Scoring chances % (SCF-SCA)	48.5% (172-183)	49.4% (215-220)
High-danger % (HDCF-HDCA)	45.5% (66-79)	46.7% (77-88)
High-danger % (HDGF-HDGA)	61.9% (13-8)	46.7% (7-8)

Columbus Blue Jackets lineup vs Winnipeg Jets

Jan 13, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Dmitri Voronkov (10) hits Seattle Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn (29) during the third period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets lost 7-4.

Morning skate report― The Blue Jackets held an optional skate, where they didn't skate line rushes. Voronkov's return from his shoulder injury bumps Kevin Labanc out of the lineup as the lone change from coach Dean Evason's lineup Wednesday against the New York Islanders. Elvis Merzlikins will make his third straight start in net.

Here's how they might line up against the Jets:

Forward lines

Yegor Chinakhov — Sean Monahan — Kirill Marchenko

Mikael Pyyhtia — Adam Fantilli — Cole Sillinger

Zach Aston-Reese — Justin Danforth — Mathieu Olivier

James van Riemsdyk — Sean Kuraly — Dmitri Voronkov

Defense pairings

Zach Werenski — Ivan Provorov

Jake Christiansen — Damon Severson

Jack Johnson — Jordan Harris

Goalies

Elvis Merzlikins

Daniil Tarasov

Scratched:D David Jiricek

Injured:F Boone Jenner (shoulder surgery), D Erik Gudbranson (shoulder surgery), F Kent Johnson (shoulder) and F Gavin Brindley (fractured finger)

Feb 16, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Kent Johnson (91) shoots past Winnipeg Jets center Adam Lowry (17) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-The Columbus Dispatch

Winnipeg Jets lineup vs Columbus Blue Jackets

Morning skate report― The Jets will start Comrie, their backup, rather than playing Hellebuyck for a third straight game. Otherwise, the Winnipeg lineup appears to be the same as the one used in the Jets' 6-2 victory Wednesday in Detroit .

Here's how they're expected line up against the Blue Jackets:

Forward lines

Kyle Connor — Mark Scheifele — Gabe Vilardi

Nino Niederreiter — Adam Lowry — Mason Appleton

Cole Perfetti — Vladislav Namestnikov — Nikolaj Ehlers

Morgan Barron — Rasmus Kupari — Alex Iafallo

Defense pairings

Josh Morrissey — Dylan DeMelo

Dylan Samberg — Neal Pionk

Logan Stanley — Colin Miller

Goalies

Eric Comrie

Connor Hellebuyck

Scratched:C David Gustafsson , D Hayden Fleury , Dylan Coghlan

Injured:D Ville Heinola (lower body), C Jaret Anderson-Dolan (lower body)

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Winnipeg Jets history

All-time record:The Blue Jackets are 17-16-1 against the Jets, including 9-8-0 at Nationwide Arena. Winnipeg swept the two-game series last season by a combined score of 11-1.
Last meeting:The Blue Jackets lost 6-1 on March 7, 2024 in Columbus, allowing the Jets to sweep the season series with ease. Tyler Toffoli scored two goals to lead five different goal-scorers for Winnipeg, paving the way for Connor Hellebuyck to pick up the goaltending win. Brendan Gaunce scored the lone goal for Columbus, and Elvis Merzlikins took the loss in net.
2024 matchups:Nov. 1 in Columbus; Dec. 8, 2025 in Winnipeg