Game Day #53: Elvis In Net When Blue Jackets Seek Fourth Straight Win Sunday In Dallas

Another tough test awaits the Columbus Blue Jackets as their four-game road trip continues Sunday with a visit in Dallas to face the Stars.

The Blue Jackets won the first two legs of the key trip on Thursday and Friday night over the Vegas Golden Knights and Utah Hockey Club. Both were in overtime, and both came after Columbus had fallen behind. In Friday's case, they trailed 2-0 in the third before scoring three straight.

To make it three in a row on the road — and four straight wins overall — the Blue Jackets will need a strong outing from Elvis Merzlikins, who gets the start against Dallas.

Merzlikins has been dynamite as of late, winning his last three starts and going 10-2-1 over his last 13. During that time, he's posted a .939 save percentage. For the season, his goals against average has dipped all the way down to 2.89. 

Here's what else to know as the Blue Jackets make a big stop in Big D:

• RE: STARS
  Dallas is rolling over the last week-plus. They've won four in a row, including twice over the Golden Knights, a shutout in St. Louis over the Blues, and a win Friday night at home over the Vancouver Canucks. ... This will be Dallas' last home game for a while, as they hit the road for three before the Four Nations Face-Off break and then come out of that two-week layoff with three more on the road. They won't be home again until the final day of February. ... Dallas was 31.5% on the power play and 82.5% on the penalty kill in the month of January. 
   
• DEFENSE IS BUZZIN'
  Over the last ten games, the Blue Jackets have allowed 21 goals — but a third of those came in the 7-4 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes a little more than a week ago. They've allowed just 14 in the other nine games, an average of 1.55 per game. The goaltending has been great, but the defensive structure has improved dramatically and the numbers show it.
   
• ANOTHER SUPERLATIVE FOR Z
  It's February 2nd, but Zach Werenski's 57 points has already tied a career high for the star defenseman. It was 11 goals and 46 assists in 70 games last season; this time around, it's 17 and 40 in 52 games. Werenski is on pace for 90 points, which would surpass Artemi Panarin's club record of 87. The Norris-candidate continues to dazzle.
   
• LINEUPS & PROJECTIONS
  Despite losing a handful of teeth and receiving 30 stiches after a high-stick early Friday night, James van Riemsdyk returned to the game for the third period. He's expected to play Sunday, and no other lineup changes are on the horizon. Here are the complete lineup projections: