Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins recorded a shutout in Friday night's 2-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings. This was the second of back-to-back shutouts and his fifth in the past eight games.
According to NHL Public Relations, Merzlikins is only the sixth goalie since 1929-30 - when forward passing was first permitted inside all three zones - to record five shutouts in an eight-game span. He joins Brian Boucher, Ed Belfour, Tony Esposito, Bill Durnan, and Frank Brimsek.
Merzlikins has been solid for the Blue Jackets this season, after having to fill in for Joonas Korpisalo who went down with a knee injury on Dec. 29. Since becoming the starter on Dec. 31, he has gone 12-2-0 and has won his last eight in a row, which is the fifth longest winning streak by a rookie goaltender in league history.
He also leads the league in shutouts (5), save percentage (.930), and he is fourth in goals against average (2.20).
The battle for the Calder Trophy has basically come down to Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes, but if Merzlikins is able to get Columbus into a playoff spot come April, he could garner some serious consideration for rookie of the year honors, and if he keeps this up, he might even be up for the Vezina Trophy in June.
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