Jackets hold goaltender competition ahead of restart
Some might view the Blue Jackets’ decision to stage a goalie competition heading into the NHL’S modified playoffs as a drawback.
The risk, as they see it, would be a rusty goalie no matter who wins the job between Elvis Merzlikins and Joonas Korpisalo. That is the last thing you’d want going into a five-game series in the qualifying round against the highpowered Toronto Maple Leafs, which will start with Game 1 on Aug. 2 at Toronto’s Scotiabank Arena.
The Blue Jackets, however, see it differently.
“I know that’s going to be a question going along all the way through this here,” coach John Tortorella said Monday, after the first day of training camp to prepare for the NHL’S 24-team return plan.
“We have no clue who’s going to be our goaltender when we start playing. I think they’ll make that decision for us. I’ll tell you right now, both of them deserve that opportunity the way they played this year, but we’re going to see where they all stand as we go through the camp, go through an exhibition game and make our decision as we get closer to Aug. 2.”
Along with start times for the first couple of games, the NHL released details Tuesday about the exhibition games to be played in Toronto and Edmonton, the other hub city. Each team will get one practice run to prepare for the games that count, and the Blue Jackets play theirs July 30 against the Boston Bruins.
Merzlikins and Korpisalo will likely split time in the exhibition, and their play could be a big factor in deciding the Jackets’ top goalie to start the playoffs.
“A lot of things could happen from here until then,” Tortorella said. “We’re going to allow them to play, we’re going to allow the forwards and defensemen to play, and then we’re going to make our call.”
That’s fine by both Merzlikins and Korpisalo, who each shined in separate stints as the Jackets’ top goalie during the regular season.
“I’ve never played any playoff hockey in the NHL, and I’m looking forward to it,” said Korpisalo, who earned his first career invitation to the NHL All-star Game before a knee injury Dec. 29 opened the door for Merzlikins to be the Jackets’ top option. “I’m going to fight for a spot to be a starting goalie (in camp), and it’s a great chance here.”
Merzlikins has a different outlook.
“Of course, from my side and even from his side, you want to play … because there is only one net,” he said. “I’m not focusing now on being the No. 1. I’m not focusing on ... ‘destroying’ Korpi. I’m not focusing on that. I’m focusing just to give my best and to help the team . ... We are here together. We are friends and we are trying to help the club and organization to play, so that’s the most important thing, I think.”
The first three days of camp haven’t provided much clarity to external observers or Tortorella, who said he hasn’t paid attention to the play of his goalies yet. Scrimmages will be a different story, holding the potential to provide some separation between the two.
Otherwise, each goalie has a strong case based on the regular season.
Korpisalo earned the top role in fall training camp, but got off to a middling start. He found his top gear in November and excelled until he tore a meniscus in his right knee during a shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. Between Nov. 2 and that game Dec. 29, Korpisalo went 12-6-3 in 22 appearances with a 2.11 goals-against average, .926 save percentage and two shutouts.
The following week, he was named to the Metropolitan Division’s All-star roster, even though he needed surgery to repair his knee and missed the league’s allstar festivities.
Merzlikins, meanwhile, capitalized on the opportunity to handle the No. 1 role. After struggling to a record of 0-4-4 with a 3.41 GAA and .889 save percentage in his first 10 games as Korpisalo’s backup, the Latvian rookie thrived in the spotlight.
Beginning with a 4-1 victory against the Florida Panthers and former Blue Jackets’ star goalie Sergei Bobrovsky on New Year’s Eve at Nationwide Arena, Merzlikins rattled off a sizzling 12-2-0 record in a 14game span. It included a scorching 1.51 GAA, blistering .953 save percentage and five shutouts.
It was exactly what the Jackets needed, keeping them in the hunt for the playoffs despite a mountain of injuries. Now, the roster is nearly at full strength, and two impressive, young goalies are eyeing the postseason.
“I don’t think it changes in any way from the end of the regular season,” Korpisalo said. “Every day, we go in there and try to be better than the other guy. It’s a healthy competition, which is awesome.” bhedger@dispatch.com @Brianhedger