TORONTO – Adam Fantilli registered his first profession hat trick and Elvis Merzlikins made 29 saves because the Columbus Blue Jackets thumped the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-1 on Wednesday.
Luca Del Bel Belluz, with a purpose and an help, and James van Riemsdyk supplied the remainder of the offence for Columbus (23-18-7).
The Blue Jackets have factors in eight of their final 9 video games (7-1-1) and moved into the Jap Convention’s first wild-card spot with the victory.
Auston Matthews replied for Toronto (30-17-2). Dennis Hildeby stopped 14 photographs.
The Leafs, who suffered 6-2 highway loss to the Blue Jackets in October, noticed a three-game profitable streak snapped.
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Fantilli, a local of close by Nobleton, Ont., with 70 household and mates in attendance at Scotiabank Area, pushed Columbus forward 3-0 within the second interval together with his second of the night time.
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Del Bel Belluz — who’s from Woodbridge, Ont., additionally simply outdoors Toronto — put issues to mattress within the third when he made it 4-0. Matthews obtained a comfort purpose for the house facet earlier than Fantilli accomplished his hat trick into then empty internet with Hildeby on the bench for an additional attacker.
Takeaways
Leafs: Matthew Knies (upper-body damage) left the sport late within the second interval following a giant collision by the benches and didn’t return.
Blue Jackets: Merzlikins appeared to endure an damage throughout the morning skate, however was good to go in opposition to Toronto.
Key second
Merzlikins made a few large stops on Matthews within the center interval earlier than van Riemsdyk and Fantilli scored one minute 41 seconds aside to place Columbus up 3-0.
Key stat
Blue Jackets defenceman Zach Werenski entered play main the NHL in common ice time at 26:49. Utah Hockey blueliner Mikhail Sergachev (25:45) sat greater than a minute again at No. 2.
Up subsequent
Columbus concludes a four-game road-trip Thursday in opposition to the Carolina Hurricanes. Toronto is off till Saturday’s go to to Ottawa to tackle the Senators.
This report by The Canadian Press was first revealed Jan. 22, 2025.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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