The Blue Jackets trailed 1-0 and 2-1 but battled back to defeat the Nashville Predators 4-2 on Wednesday night at Nationwide Arena.
The win was their first regulation win since April 6 (4-2 against Tampa Bay). Since that win one month ago, the Blue Jackets had gone 1-7-4.
Here are tonight's three things.
Elvis Excels Again
Per NaturalStatTrick, the Predators out-chanced the Blue Jackets in high-danger chances 13-5 at 5v5. Elvis Merzlikins was excellent in net, stopping 30 of 32 shots.
But his performance didn't stop at the final buzzer. For the second time, he performed a post-game hug with... himself. All the feels, as they say.
Merzlikins hugging himself after each win now that Nick Foligno is gone pic.twitter.com/mb0JvWjn9M
— Brady Trettenero (@BradyTrett) May 6, 2021
Then, in his post-game media, he suggested that he would have liked to have scored on Nashville's empty net.
Torts said he told Elvis, "I don't care what the eff you do, just don't eff it up."
— Jeff Svoboda (@JacketsInsider) May 6, 2021
"Did you see him race to me (during the timeout)? I don't think I've ever seen him skate that fast." #CBJ
JUST ENOUGH OFFENSE
Jack Roslovic tallied a power-play goal for his 11th tally of the season. Mikhail Grigorenko, who is getting an opportunity to play more in recent games, and scored his fourth goal of the season after a dominant offensive zone shift. He now has points in two consecutive games. Oliver Bjorkstrand scored his 16th and 17th goals of the season, the ladder on an empty net.
#CBJorkstrands shot pic.twitter.com/VQdc8H33ZQ
— Alison (@AlisonL) May 6, 2021
Bjorkstrand scored over the glove of Juuse Saros, from virtually the same spot that Emil Bemstrom scored on twice in Monday night's OT loss. Cam Atkinson was bailed out by Bjorkstrand after missing a breakaway and an empty net from the near blue line in the final minutes.
Mikko Lehtonen Stands Out
The Finish defender is clearly getting a long look from the coaching staff and management alike. At age 27, he's a pending UFA. This is his first season in the NHL, and he hasn't looked out of place. In Wednesday night's win, the defender played 20:35, making it four consecutive games in which the defender has played 20+ minutes. Just as notably, his two assists doubled his prior points total with the Blue Jackets (0-1-1 in 16 games).
Is Lehtonen part of the club's future? A week ago, I wasn't convinced. But this apparent vote of confidence may suggest otherwise.
