<p><strong>NEW DELHI:</strong> In a defensive showdown, the Columbus Blue Jackets clinched a 1-0 triumph over the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday, marking goaltender Elvis Merzlikins’ inaugural shutout of the season. Merzlikins made 21 saves, securing his 10th career shutout and ending the Blue Jackets’ two-calendar-year drought without a shutout.</p>
<p><img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-382375″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/theindiaprint.com-for-the-first-time-in-two-years-the-columbus-blue-jackets-shut-out-the-st-louis-bl.jpg” alt=”theindiaprint.com for the first time in two years the columbus blue jackets shut out the st louis bl” width=”985″ height=”554″ title=”For the first time in two years, the Columbus Blue Jackets shut out the St. Louis Blues 3″ srcset=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/theindiaprint.com-for-the-first-time-in-two-years-the-columbus-blue-jackets-shut-out-the-st-louis-bl.jpg 400w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/theindiaprint.com-for-the-first-time-in-two-years-the-columbus-blue-jackets-shut-out-the-st-louis-bl-390×220.jpg 390w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/theindiaprint.com-for-the-first-time-in-two-years-the-columbus-blue-jackets-shut-out-the-st-louis-bl-150×84.jpg 150w” sizes=”(max-width: 985px) 100vw, 985px” /></p>
<p>The solitary goal transpired at 4:11 of the third period when Dmitri Voronkov capitalized on a cross-crease pass from Zach Werenski, securing his 12th goal of the season. Werenski’s assist on the play also propelled him to third place in franchise history with 193 career assists, surpassing Nick Foligno.</p>
<p>Blues’ goaltender Jordan Binnington thwarted 21 shots but couldn’t prevent the Blue Jackets from breaking the scoreless stalemate, marking the end of the Blues’ five-game winning streak leading into the All-Star break.</p>
<p>Despite the limited shots on goal, Merzlikins delivered pivotal saves, including a crucial stop on Torey Krug in the waning seconds of the second period and crucial saves in the third, ensuring the shutout for the Blue Jackets.</p>
<p>The game featured a skirmish between Blue Jackets forward Mathieu Olivier and Blues defenseman Tyler Tucker during the second period, injecting intensity into what had been a low-action game with few scoring opportunities and limited excitement in the initial two periods.</p>
<p>With this victory, the Blue Jackets head into the All-Star break on a positive note, aiming to build on the defensive prowess as they navigate the remainder of the season.</p>
