The Columbus Blue Jackets were one of the hottest teams in the NHL heading into the Olympic break, riding an 11-1 stretch that’s vaulted them right into the thick of the Eastern Conference Wild Card race. So when Elvis Merzlikins was pulled from Latvia’s Olympic matchup against the United States on Thursday, you could almost hear the collective gasp from Blue Jackets fans back home. But take a breath, Columbus - your goaltender is just fine.
Merzlikins, 31, was lifted at the start of the third period in what turned out to be a 5-1 loss to Team USA. Naturally, that kind of move mid-game raises questions, especially when it involves a player so central to his NHL club’s recent resurgence.
But this wasn’t about injury or illness. It was a tactical decision, and one Merzlikins fully supported.
“He said himself it was to change the energy and he agreed,” reported NHL.com’s Dan Rosen after the game. In other words, this was about shaking things up, not shutting things down.
That’s good news for a Blue Jackets team that’s found its stride under newly appointed head coach Rick Bowness. Since taking over, Bowness has helped stabilize a squad that looked lost earlier in the season.
Now, they’re just four points back of the Boston Bruins for the second Wild Card spot in the East, and momentum is on their side. A healthy, focused Merzlikins will be key to keeping that push alive once the NHL schedule resumes.
Against the U.S., Merzlikins gave up four goals on 32 shots - not his sharpest outing, but not as rough as the box score might suggest. Latvia successfully challenged two goals that were overturned, which kept the score from ballooning even further. Still, it was a tough day at the office, and Latvia will be counting on him to bounce back in their next matchup against Germany.
For Columbus, the hope is that this Olympic stint serves as a tune-up rather than a setback. Merzlikins hasn’t had his best statistical season - he’s currently 11-8-1 with an .888 save percentage and a 3.49 goals-against average - but he’s been steady enough during the Blue Jackets’ recent surge. And with promising young netminder Jet Greaves waiting in the wings, the Jackets are quietly building a goaltending tandem that could carry them through the stretch run.
The Olympic break came at a tricky time for Columbus - just as they were catching fire. But if Merzlikins returns healthy and locked in, Bowness and company will be ready to pick up right where they left off.