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Olivier Scores Twice, Merzlikins Shuts Out Devils for Blue Jackets’ Sixth Straight Win

Columbus’ surge under new coach Rick Bowness tightens the Metro race before the Olympic break.

Overview

  • Columbus beat New Jersey 3-0 in Newark to stretch its winning streak to six games and improve to 10-1-0 over its past 11.
  • Elvis Merzlikins made 23 saves for his first shutout of the season as the Blue Jackets closed a 3-0 road trip.
  • Dante Fabbro returned from a lower-body injury and broke a scoreless game 5:24 into the third period.
  • Mathieu Olivier converted a third-period breakaway and added a late empty-netter to finish with two goals.
  • A first-period Columbus goal was overturned on a successful goalie-interference challenge, and the Devils were without Jack Hughes due to a lower-body injury as their playoff outlook grew more precarious.