By MITCH STACY AP Sports Writer
COLUMBUS – Elvis Merzlikins got a fifth shutout in his last eight starts and the Blue Jackets extended their points streak to 10 games with a 2-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings.
Zach Werenski’s second-period goal, his 17th of the season, broke a franchise season scoring record for defensemen.
The Blue Jackets have won three straight and nine of the last 10.
They dominated in the game, outshooting Detroit 44-16, but had trouble finding the back of the net with veteran goalie Jimmy Howard in goal.
Howard faced a shooting gallery at times, finishing with 42 saves.
The Blue Jackets were expected to struggle after losing Sergei Bobrovsky, Artemi Panarin and Matt Duchene through free agency. Instead, they’ve surged up the NHL’s Metropolitan Division standings following a 5-7-3 start, passing the New York Islanders for third place.
Merzlikins, 12-2-0 as a starter since Joonas Korpisalo went down with a knee injury, is the first rookie goaltender to record five shutouts in an eight-game stretch since Boston’s Frank Brimsek in 1938.
Boone Jenner added an empty-netter for the Jackets.