Blue Jackets forward Meyer quickly making an impact
PHILADELPHIA — After playing just 3:16 in his NHL debut on Monday, which Blue Jackets coach Brad Larsen attributed to the flow of the game and the hefty number of penalties, forward Carson Meyer played much more in Columbus' 4-2 win Tuesday and quickly capitalized on his increased opportunity.
On his first shift, the Powell native earned his first NHL point with the assist on Brendan Gaunce's goal. And three shifts later, Meyer scored his first goal.
“I kind of just assumed (Zach Werenski) would be able to find me,” said Meyer of the play, which came on an odd-man rush. “I didn't see him take a peek to see if I was there. I called for it once and after that, he's obviously got great vision and put it right on my tape for me. I just knew, ‘I'm just gonna go straight to the net as hard as I can.' He took care of the rest for me.”
He finished with a goal and an assist in 8:50 on the ice with one shot, two hits, a takeaway and a plus-2 rating.
The victory ended the Blue Jackets' 7-game winless streak.
Merzlikins continues to shoulder heavy load
Elvis Merzlikins has started the last seven games for the Jackets, and they haven't made it easy on him in any of them. He's faced a combined 261 shots across those seven contests and made 238 saves for a .912 save percentage and a 1-3-3 record.
Tuesday, Columbus gave up the highest shot total in the seven-game span with 49 shots against. Merzlikins made 47 saves.
“I'm pretty tired,” he said. “Going to go home and sleep. I'm really happy that we finally broke that losing streak. It's really important for us because even both games of Boston, we played really well. We deserved the win, I think. We really fought. I'm happy that the win came.” bjohnson@dispatch.com @baileyajohnson_
BLUE JACKETS 4, FLYERS 2
Columbus 2 0 2 — 4
Philadelphia 1 1 0 — 2
FIRST PERIOD: 1. Columbus, Gaunce 5 (Meyer, Robinson), 2:38; 2. Columbus, Meyer 1 (Werenski, Robinson), 13:23; 3. Philadelphia, Cates 1 (Brown), 17:35. Penalties—kuraly, CBJ (tripping), 9:39; Gavrikov, CBJ (holding stick), 15:03.
SECOND: 4. Philadelphia, van Riemsdyk 18 (Hayes, Attard), 13:16. Penalty—robinson, CBJ (slashing), 3:42.
THIRD: 5. Columbus, Danforth 8 (Kuraly, Bean), 13:16; 6. Columbus, Kuraly 12 (Sillinger, Nyquist), 19:40 (en). Penalties—laine, CBJ (high sticking), 7:17; Farabee, PHI (slashing), 10:44.
Shots on goal: Columbus 8-8-14—30; Philadelphia 20-18-11—49. Power plays: Columbus 0 of 1; Philadelphia 0 of 4. Goalies:
Columbus, Merzlikins 23-18-6 (49 shots-47 saves); Philadelphia, Hart 13-23-7 (29-26). A: 14,367. T: 2:24.