COLUMBUS (AP) — Zach Werenski got his first career hat trick as the Blue Jackets beat the Florida Panthers 4-1.
Goalie Elvis Merzlikins had 36 saves in his first NHL start as the Blue Jackets extended their points streak to 11 games.
Columbus ruined the first homecoming for Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, who played for the Blue Jackets for seven seasons before leaving for free agency last summer.
Bobrovsky had 24 saves and Colton Scevior scored for Florida, which saw a two-game win streak snapped.
The Blue Jackets say goaltender Joonas Korpisalo will be sidelined four to six weeks with a knee injury.
The Finn had surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee.
He was injured during a shootout in a 3-2 loss to Chicago on Sunday night.
On Monday the team added rookie goalie Matiss Kivlenieks from Cleveland of the American Hockey League.
Korpisalo was selected for the NHL All-Star Game on Jan. 25 but likely won’t be able to participate.