2024-03-31 23:45:07
The “Blue Jackets” beat the Pittsburgh “Penguins” at home with a score of 4:3 (1:0, 0:2, 2:1, 0:0, 0:1) in the postgame shootout series.
Merzlikin beat the Pittsburgh team for the first time in his career. “Until now, when I played against them, it was not possible, but this time I did it. The feelings are good,” said Merzlikin.
Goals scored by Kirill Marchenko and Zek Werenski in the third period helped them come back from a two-goal deficit, but before that, Majte Olivier stood out for the home team in regular time, while Alexandre Texier and Damon Syverson made accurate shots in the postgame.
Merzlikin was beaten in the regular season by Drew O’Connor, Brian Rast and Rickard Rakell, while only Sidney Crosby was able to do it in the bullpen. Goalkeeper Alex Nedelkovic managed 35 shots.
“Blue Jackets” with 60 points in 74 games occupy the last, 16th place in the Eastern Conference, where “Penguins” are in 12th position with 75 points in 73 games.
On the other hand, the “dry” loss was experienced by the Buffalo “Sabres” represented by striker Zemgus Girgensons, who lost to the Toronto “Maple Leafs” with the result 0:3 (0:1, 0:1, 0:1).
Girgenson was on the ice for 14 minutes and 21 seconds, scored once, had four power plays, blocked one shot and won his only shot, finishing the game with a neutral efficiency rating.
Auston Matthews scored for the guests, who scored for the 60th time in the season, as well as John Tavares and Nicholas Robertson. Goalkeeper Ilya Samsonovs neutralized all 34 shots.
With 75 points in 75 games, the “Sabres” are in 13th position in the Eastern Conference, seven points short of entering the Stanley Cup. “Maple Leafs” with 93 points in 73 matches is fifth and almost secured a place in the “play-off”.
In another game, Florida “Panthers”, who have sent defenseman Uvi Jāni Balinski back to the American Hockey League (AHL), at home with a 3-2 (0-1, 0-0, 2-1, 0-0, 1-0) post-game shootout beat the Detroit Red Wings in the series.
Aleksander Barkov scored both goals for the hosts in regular time, but Sam Reinhart stood out in the series of shots after the game. Robbie Fabri and Dylan Larkin had accurate shots in the “Red Wings” unit.
The Panthers are fourth in the Eastern Conference with 99 points in 74 games and have secured a spot in the Stanley Cup, while the Red Wings are ninth with 80 points in 74 games and are fighting for one of the last spots.
2024-03-31 23:45:07