Pro Sports

Chinakhov, Merzlikins lead Blue Jackets past Hurricanes 6-0

Posted January 14, 2022 6:00 am

By BOB SUTTON

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) watches the puck controlled by Carolina Hurricanes' Martin Necas (88) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker) The Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Yegor Chinakhov scored two goals and Elvis Merzlikins posted a 31-save shutout as the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Carolina Hurricanes 6-0 on Thursday night.

Emil Bemstrom, Patrik Laine, Cole Sillinger and Jack Roslovic also scored for the Blue Jackets, who squandered a 4-0 lead against Carolina earlier this month. Ex-Hurricane Jake Bean and Eric Robinson each had two assists.

It was the first outing for Merzlikins since he allowed four goals on 15 shots in that previous game against Carolina.

'œIt was really important to come back and play with a free mind,'ť Merzlikins said. 'œI'm not really worried about (the loss to the Hurricanes). We had to learn and that's what we're doing.'ť

The Hurricanes were shut out for the first time this season.

'œIt started right from the first shift. We had a high compete level,'ť Columbus coach Brad Larsen said. 'œWe did a lot of good things to keep the danger away.'ť

Carolina goalie Frederik Andersen gave up four goals on 32 shots before being pulled after Laine and Chinakhov scored 32 seconds apart early in the third period.

The Hurricanes were playing only their fifth game since Dec. 18. They had a scheduled game Tuesday night at Philadelphia postponed after traveling there a day earlier.

'œWe weren't sharp or we weren't going to be lights out, but that was not good,'ť Hurricanes coach Rod Brind'Amour said. 'œNot a good effort by pretty much everybody.'ť

For the second time in less than two weeks, the Blue Jackets held a four-goal lead on Carolina. This time, they built on that - unlike Jan. 1 when the Hurricanes rallied to win 7-4 in Columbus.

'œWe wanted to make sure that we had a chance to redeem ourselves,'ť Sillinger said. 'œThey came back on a 4-0 lead and stole one in our own building. We wanted to make sure we got one back.'ť

Twelve players ended up on the scoresheet.

'œFor our team to get back and play some winning hockey, we're going to need everybody,'ť Larsen said.

Bemstrom got his first goal of the season for the only first-period scoring. Chinakhov's breakaway resulted in the only scoring in the second as the Blue Jackets were on their way to just their second win in their last six games.

The Hurricanes, who had a six-game point streak snapped, played for the first time this season without defenseman Jaccob Slavin, who entered the NHL's COVID-19 protocol this week. Columbus winger Jakub Voracek also missed a game for the first time, going on the COVID-19 protocol list.

DOUBLE UP

Chinakhov, a first-round draft pick by Columbus in 2020, had two goals in 25 previous career games. So he doubled his total in slightly more than 13 minutes of game time.

'œOf course, it gives me more confidence,'ť Chinakhov said. 'œBut I'm just trying to play well. '¦ It's certainly a great feeling to score goals.'ť

He now has three goals in the last three games.

'œI think (Chinakhov) plays his best when he's calm with the puck,'ť Sillinger said.

WELCOME ABOARD

Jack LaFontaine was Carolina's backup goalie, his first game as a professional. LaFontaine left the University of Minnesota when he was signed to an entry-level contract Sunday.

LaFontaine entered the game with 14:57 remaining. He gave up Sillinger's breakaway goal on the first shot he faced.

'œI hate that we threw him in for that, but he got his feet wet a little bit,'ť Brind'Amour said.

Antti Raanta has been the No. 2 goalie for the Hurricanes for most of the season, though he's out with an injury. The team assigned goalie Alex Lyon to the American Hockey League prior to Thursday's game.

SOME STARS

Andersen joined teammate Sebastian Aho as selections to represent the Metropolitan Division at the NHL All-Star Weekend on Feb. 4-5 at Las Vegas. It will be the second All-Star appearance for each of them.

Brind'Amour already had been named as a coach for All-Star Weekend.

Defenseman Zach Werenski was picked from the Blue Jackets.

UP NEXT

Blue Jackets: At the Florida Panthers on Saturday night.

Hurricanes: Host the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday afternoon.

___

More AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports

Carolina Hurricanes' Seth Jarvis (24) tries to control the puck in front of Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) with Blue Jackets' Andrew Peeke (2) and Oliver Bjorkstrand (28) nearby during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker) The Associated Press

The Columbus Blue Jackets celebrate a goal by Emil Bemstrom with Carolina Hurricanes' Ian Cole (28), foreground, during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker) The Associated Press

Carolina Hurricanes' Martin Necas (88) controls the puck near Columbus Blue Jackets' Jake Bean (22) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker) The Associated Press

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Jack LaFontaine (80) relieves goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker) The Associated Press

Columbus Blue Jackets' Patrik Laine (29) celebrates his goal with teammate Vladislav Gavrikov (44) as Carolina Hurricanes' Jesper Fast (71) skates by during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker) The Associated Press

The Columbus Blue Jackets celebrate a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker) The Associated Press

Carolina Hurricanes' Seth Jarvis (24) tries to control the puck after colliding with Columbus Blue Jackets' Andrew Peeke (2) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Raleigh, N.C., Thursday, Jan. 13, 2022. (AP Photo/Karl B DeBlaker) The Associated Press

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