Elvis Merzlikins’s rough start plus two momentum-changing defensive lapses were too much for the Blue Jackets to overcome in a frustrating 6-3 loss to the Ottawa Senators on Dec. 11 at Nationwide Arena, sending them to their fourth straight loss.
Despite making “commitment” a central theme of their morning meeting, things fell apart quickly for the Jackets after they failed to scored during a solid start in the game’s opening five-plus minutes. Merzlikins allowed three goals on just five shots, putting the Jackets in a 3-0 hole, and was replaced by Jet Greaves with 5:05 left in the first period.
Greaves also allowed a goal with 34 seconds left in the first after a defensive breakdown by his teammates, putting the Blue Jackets down by three goals, 4-1, after captain Boone Jenner scored late in the first in his return from a 14-game injury absence. Goals by Dante Fabbro and Dmitri Voronkov pulled Columbus within 4-3 in the second, but another defensive breakdown late in the period led to the Senators extending their lead to 5-3 on Tim Stutzle’s goal with 2:01 left.
Zach Werenski (two assists) and Jenner (goal and assist) led the Blue Jackets (13-12-6) with two points each, while Greaves made 21 saves on 23 shots in relief. Dylan Cozen (three assists), Drake Batherson (one goal, two assists), Michael Amadio (one goal, two assists) and Stutzle (two goals) led the Senators (14-12-4) to a win that ended a three-game losing streak.
Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com and @BrianHedger.bsky.socialÂ