Elvis Merzlikins is seeing beach balls right now.
The Columbus Blue Jackets netminder recorded yet another shutout on Friday against the Detroit Red Wings. The Latvian rookie has now notched five shutouts over his last eight games, going undefeated in that stretch with a sparkling .967 save percentage and a 1.00 goals-against average.
Merzlikins became the sixth goalie since 1929-30 - when forward passing was first permitted in all three zones - to record five shutouts over an eight-game span, according to NHL Public Relations.
| Goalie | Team | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Brian Boucher | Coyotes | 2003-04 |
| Ed Belfour | Stars | 2000-01 |
| Tony Esposito | Blackhawks | 1973-74 |
| Bill Durnan | Canadiens | 1948-49 |
| Frank Brimsek* | Bruins | 1938-39 |
Merzlikins is now one of just two rookies to accomplish the feat since 1929-30, joining Brimsek.
Boucher, Belfour, Durnan, and Brimsek all produced their historic runs in significantly lower-scoring eras.
| Season | Goals per game |
|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 6.1* |
| 2003-04 | 5.14 |
| 2000-01 | 5.52 |
| 1973-74 | 6.4 |
| 1948-49 | 5.44 |
| 1938-39 | 5.06 |
*Entering Friday
Merzlikins has vaulted the Blue Jackets into third place in the Metropolitan Division, and he could begin to garner serious Vezina and Calder trophy consideration.
He leads all goalies in both shutouts (five) and save percentage (.930).
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