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Replay: Columbus Blue Jackets score six goals again, rout Edmonton Oilers

The Blue Jackets did to the Edmonton Oilers on Monday night at Nationwide Arena what they did to the Toronto Maple Leafs last week.

Once again, they overwhelmed a high-powered opponent with three goals in the first period, scored six goals in total and won by blowout, topping the Oilers, 6-1, in front of 15,237 who watched in the building. Elvis Merzlikins picked up the goaltending win, allowing his lone goal with 26.8 seconds left in the third period.

"Those nights of (allowing) six goals, I've had quite a bit of them," Merzlikins said. "It's not a good feeling. It's good that we have a big change this year. I think we are really solid in the back (end), and even in the front. We know what we're doing right now. Last year, we definitely didn't look like we knew what we were doing when we got the puck. Here, everyone knows their own role, everyone is working hard and there (are) no jokes anymore. We're seriously playing hockey here right now."

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) makes a save in front of Edmonton Oilers right wing Vasily Podkolzin (92) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024.
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) makes a save in front of Edmonton Oilers right wing Vasily Podkolzin (92) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024.

Sean Monahan scored two goals to lead the way offensively, his fourth and fifth of the season, Cole Sillinger and Adam Fantilli finished with three points each on a goal and two assists, and rookie Mikael Pyyhtia scored the first goal of his NHL career in the win.

Mathieu Olivier also scored his fourth goal of the seasonn and Kirill Marchenko racked up two assists to increase his team scoring lead to 11 points (four goals, seven assists). The Oilers lost captain Connor McDavid just 37 seconds into his first shift with an unspecified leg/foot injury. This was Edmonton's lone visit this season to Columbus, where they haven't won since Oct. 30, 2019.

Here's a review of game updates, in-game analysis and more.

Columbus Blue Jackets players salute the fans following the NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. The Blue Jackets won 6-1.
Columbus Blue Jackets players salute the fans following the NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. The Blue Jackets won 6-1.

FINAL: Columbus Blue Jackets 6, Edmonton Oilers 1

The Jackets bounce back from a loss with yet another early statement victory over the Oilers, scoring six more goals in the process and getting the goose egg in net from Merzlikins.

GOAL, 3rd period, 19:33: Columbus Blue Jackets, Edmonton Oilers 1

Mattias Ekholm spoiled Merzlikins' shutout bit with less than 30 seconds left in the third, causing the frustrated goalie to whack the goal post with his paddle. It was one of few negative things for the Blue Jackets during an otherwise memorable evening.

Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan (23) celebrates scoring a goal with teammates during the third period of the NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. The Blue Jackets won 6-1.
Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan (23) celebrates scoring a goal with teammates during the third period of the NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. The Blue Jackets won 6-1.

GOAL, 3rd period, 16:39: Columbus Blue Jackets 6, Edmonton Oilers 0

Make it six goals again for the Blue Jackets. Monahan's second of the night, assisted by Yegor Chinakhov and Marchenko, pushes them to the six-goal plateau for the fourth time in their first eight games. That's a crazy stat, but this is a new team in Columbus.

GOAL, 3rd period, 15:15: Columbus Blue Jackets 5, Edmonton Oilers 0

Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Mikael Pyyhtia (82) celebrates scoring his first NHL goal during the third period of the hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. The Blue Jackets won 6-1.
Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Mikael Pyyhtia (82) celebrates scoring his first NHL goal during the third period of the hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. The Blue Jackets won 6-1.

There it is ... first goal of Mikael Pyyhtia's NHL career. He's waited a while, and while he's waited the Finnish rookie has played really good hockey. This time, he gets the reward with a beautiful pass from Fantili from deep on the left wing across the low slot.

Pyyhtia tapped it home for a five-goal margin.

3rd period, 12:12: Columbus Blue Jackets cruising with 4-0 lead over Edmonton Oilers

Neither team appears all that interested in scoring goals this period, as each team has put five shots on net with just under eight minutes left. This favors the Blue Jackets, who are running down the clock with a four-goal lead.

3rd period: Columbus Blue Jackets 4, Edmonton Oilers 0

Tonight's announced attendance is 15,237 here at Nationwide Arena tonight.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson (3) moves the puck away from Edmonton Oilers right wing Corey Perry (90) and Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) during the second period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson (3) moves the puck away from Edmonton Oilers right wing Corey Perry (90) and Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) during the second period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024.

3rd period underway: Columbus Blue Jackets 4, Edmonton Oilers 0

The puck is on the ice for the third, as the Blue Jackets try to polish off what would be another impressive early victory in their eighth game this season.

2nd intermission: Columbus Blue Jackets 4, Edmonton Oilers 0

The Oilers are outshooting the Jackets 23-14 and have a 40-32 edge in attempted shots through the first two periods. Those are about the only positives for the visitors from Alberta tonight. Columbus has a commanding four-goal lead with a period left.

Edmonton is clearly missing McDavid, but the Oilers still have a lot of firepower left in the game.

GOAL, 7:05 2nd period: Columbus Blue Jackets 4, Edmonton Oilers 0

A week ago, Mathieu Olivier scored two goals in the Jackets' blowout of the Maple Leafs. He just scored for the first time in this one, pushing the Blue Jackets' lead to a 4-0 with a hard work tally at the right post for his fourth goal of the season. Olivier scored five goals in each of the past two seasons for Columbus, but is well on his way to exceeding that number in just the eighth game of this season.

James van Riemsdyk with the lone assist.

1st intermission: Columbus Blue Jackets 3, Edmonton Oilers 0

Just like they did a week ago in a 6-2 blowout win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Blue Jackets have raced out to a three-goal lead after 20 minutes at Nationwide Arena, where the Oilers haven't won since October 2019.

Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Yegor Chinakhov (59) races Edmonton Oilers defenseman Ty Emberson (49) to the loose puck during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024.
Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Yegor Chinakhov (59) races Edmonton Oilers defenseman Ty Emberson (49) to the loose puck during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024.

Sean Monahan, Adam Fantilli and Cole Sillingers scored the goals, Merzlikins made 11 saves without allowing a goal and three Blue Jackets already have multiple points: Zach Werenski (two assists), Adam Fantilli (goal, assist) and Cole Sillinger (goal, assist).

Edmonton will also finish this game without its captain, as Connor McDavid was injured (left leg/ankle) on his first shift of the game.

Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) makes a save in front of Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) and Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Jake Christiansen (2) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024.
Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (90) makes a save in front of Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) and Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Jake Christiansen (2) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024.

1st period, 17:33: Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid injured, won't return

The Oilers have announced late in the first period that superstar Connor McDavid won't return to this game due to a lower-body injury. McDavid played just one shift and 0:37 seconds.

McDavid was injured after he was tripped up by Werenski entering the Blue Jackets' zone on the right wing.

Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) stands for the National Anthem prior to the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024.
Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) stands for the National Anthem prior to the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024.

No penalty was called for a trip, which sent the Oilers superstar center to the ice and sliding feet first into the right half wall. McDavid's left skate appeared to strike the yellow kick plate at the bottom of the wall, causing the injury.

GOAL, 1st period, 14:32: Columbus Blue Jackets 3, Edmonton Oilers 0

Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (19) and defenseman Zach Werenski (8) celebrate a goal by center Cole Sillinger (4) during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024.
Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (19) and defenseman Zach Werenski (8) celebrate a goal by center Cole Sillinger (4) during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024.

Is this de ja vu, all over again?

Just as they did last week against Toronto, the Blue Jackets have already prompted the "Chili!" chant at Nationwide Arena on a 3-0 lead with five-plus minutes remaining in the first period. Cole Sillinger gets credit for throwing the puck at the net front the left point. It looked like Mikael Pyyhtia might've got his stick on the puck to deflect it, but he quickly shook his head to let Sillinger know the goal belonged to him.

For now, it's Sillinger's second goal of the season and second point of the first period (goal, assist). Assists to Fantilli (goal, assist) and Werenski (two assists), who also have two points each.

GOAL: 1st period, 10:44: Columbus Blue Jackets 2, Edmonton Oilers 0

Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (19) celebrates scoring a goal with center Cole Sillinger (4) during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024.
Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (19) celebrates scoring a goal with center Cole Sillinger (4) during the first period of the NHL hockey game against the Edmonton Oilers at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024.

Adam Fantili gets on the board with a goal, pushing the Blue Jackets' margin to 2-0 with a snap shot from the slot off a nice feed from Cole Sillinger standing below the goal line. Columbus, as happened in the Jackets' 6-2 rout of the Toronto Maple Leafs here last week, is outworking Edmonton early.

GOAL, 1st period, 2:18: Columbus Blue Jackets 1, Edmonton Oilers 0

Sean Monahan pots his fourth goal of the season to cap a power play, giving Kirill Marchenko and Zach Werenski points with the assists.

Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan (23) scores past Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024.
Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan (23) scores past Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (74) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024.

Pretty play to set it up, Werenski from the left point over to Marchenko on the right wing for a shot/pass to Monahan for a redirection past Skinner from the slot past. That's a bumper goal.

1st period: Columbus Blue Jackets vs Edmonton Oilers underway

The puck is down here in Columbus for the Blue Jackets and Oilers, who are a couple shifts into it with a 0-0 score. Blue Jackets are getting an early power play after Viktor Arvidsson takes out Merzlikins' pins behind the Columbus net.

Columbus Blue Jackets lineup vs Edmonton Oilers

Forward lines

Yegor Chinakhov — Sean Monahan — Kirill Marchenko

Mikael Pyyhtia — Adam Fantilli — Cole Sillinger

Zach Aston-Reese — Justin Danforth — Mathieu Olivier

James van Riemsdyk — Sean Kuraly — Kevin Labanc

Defense pairings

Zach Werenski — Ivan Provorov

Jake Christiansen — Damon Severson

Jack Johnson — Jordan Harris

Goalies

Elvis Merzlikins

Daniil Tarasov

Scratched: D David Jiricek

Mar 7, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) steals the puck from Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Kirill Marchenko (86) during the third period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 4-2.
Mar 7, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) steals the puck from Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Kirill Marchenko (86) during the third period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 4-2.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Edmonton Oilers morning skate news

The Oilers won 3-2 on Sunday in Detroit, so they didn't hold a morning skate at Nationwide Arena on Monday. This is the fifth time in the Blue Jackets' first eight games they're getting an opponent finishing a back-to-back set that started 24 hours earlier. Edmonton started goalie Calvin Pickard against the Red Wings, so the Blue Jackets are expected to face Stuart Skinner.

Columbus had multiple players option out of taking the morning skate due to illness, so the Jackets could have multiple lineup regulars missing. Injured forward Dmitri Voronkov (shoulder) participated in the skate and continues to make progress in his recovery.

Mar 7, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov (9) fights for the flying puck with Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) during the second period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena.
Mar 7, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov (9) fights for the flying puck with Edmonton Oilers center Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (93) during the second period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena.

Columbus Blue Jackets senior advisor John Davidson returns to booth as TV analyst against Edmonton Oilers

John Davidson's non-playing career began in a TV booth as a broadcast analyst for the New York Rangers, whom he'd played for as a star goalie most of his career. He also became a beloved national TV analyst before leaving the booth for a lengthy executive career with the St. Louis Blues, Rangers and Blue Jackets, with whom he's on his second stint.

After playing a role in hiring Don Waddell in late May as the Jackets' president of hockey operations/general manager, Davidson shifted from that role into a senior advisory position. That comes with much less day-to-day responsibility for hockey operations, which frees Davidson up to rejoin the TV booth in this game with Steve Mears, the team's replacement for retired play-by-play broadcaster Jeff Rimer.

The Jackets' regular broadcast analyst, Jody Shelley, is working the Prime Canada Monday Night Hockey national game between the Winnipeg Jets and Toronto Maple Leafs at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Edmonton Oilers history

  • All-time record: The Blue Jackets are 26-35-3 with three ties against Edmonton, including (17-13-3 with 1 one tie at Nationwide Arena, where the Oilers haven't won since Oct. 30, 2019.

  • Last meeting: The Blue Jackets won 4-2 on March 7, 2024 in Columbus, splitting the two-game season series on goals from Mathieu Olivier, Alexander Nylander, Dmitri Voronkov and Jack Roslovic. Tarasov stopped 29 of 31 shots for the goaltending win. Zach Hyman and Corey Perry scored goals for the Oilers, who had Calvin Pickard in net.

  • 2024 matchups: Oct. 28 in Columbus; Dec. 5, 2024 in Edmonton.

Who are the officials for tonight's Columbus Blue Jackets vs Edmonton Oilers game?

  • Referee: Justin Kea (36)

  • Referee: Frederick L'Ecuyer (17)

  • Lines official: Ben O'Quinn (91)

  • Lines official: Julien Fournier (56)

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Edmonton Oilers betting odds

Mar 7, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) warms up prior to the NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 4-2.
Mar 7, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) warms up prior to the NHL hockey game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 4-2.

Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Monday, Oct. 28

  • Spread: Blue Jackets (+1.5)

  • Over/under: 6.5

  • Moneyline: Blue Jackets +200, Oilers -250

Oct 3, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Dmitri Voronkov (10) collides with Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Sam Poulin (22) early during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena. Voronkov did not return to action after the collision.
Oct 3, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Dmitri Voronkov (10) collides with Pittsburgh Penguins right wing Sam Poulin (22) early during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena. Voronkov did not return to action after the collision.

Columbus Blue Jackets news

Columbus Blue Jackets October 2024 schedule, record

Oct 22, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Kevin Labanc (62) tries to take the puck from Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (91) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena.
Oct 22, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Kevin Labanc (62) tries to take the puck from Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (91) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena.

Here's a look at the Blue Jackets' schedule for October, along with start times, television, and radio information of upcoming games:

Mar 7, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman (18) scores past Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Daniil Tarasov (40) during the second period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena.
Mar 7, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Edmonton Oilers left wing Zach Hyman (18) scores past Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Daniil Tarasov (40) during the second period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Edmonton Oilers records

  • Records: Blue Jackets 3-3-1, 7 points, 6th place in the Metropolitan Division; Oilers 4-4-1, 9 points, tied for 5th place in the Pacific Division

Mar 7, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) moves the puck around Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) during the second period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena.
Mar 7, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid (97) moves the puck around Columbus Blue Jackets center Boone Jenner (38) during the second period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena.

How can I watch/listen to Columbus Blue Jackets vs Edmonton Oilers?

  • TV channel: FanDuel Sports Network Ohio

  • Streaming: ESPN+; FanDuel Sports Network app

  • Radio: 97.1 The Fan; Blue Jackets website, Blue Jackets app

Mar 7, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Cole Sillinger (4) skates around Edmonton Oilers defenseman Brett Kulak (27) during the third period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 4-2.
Mar 7, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Cole Sillinger (4) skates around Edmonton Oilers defenseman Brett Kulak (27) during the third period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 4-2.

Columbus Blue Jackets vs Edmonton Oilers start time

Date: Monday, Oct. 28Time: 7 p.m.Location: Nationwide Arena (Columbus, Ohio)

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus Blue Jackets sink Edmonton Oilers with 6-1 blowout