
1 | 2 | 3 | T | |
---|---|---|---|---|
CBJ | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
TOR | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |

Fantilli gets 1st career hat trick as Blue Jackets beat Maple Leafs 5-1
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Toronto Maple Leafs: Game Highlights
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Toronto Maple Leafs: Game Highlights
TORONTO -- — Adam Fantilli scored three goals for his first career hat trick, Elvis Merzlikins stopped 28 shots, and the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5-1 on Wednesday night.
Luca Del Bel Belluz had a goal and an assist, and James van Riemsdyk also scored for Columbus. The Blue Jackets improved to 7-1-1 in their last nine games and moved into the Eastern Conference’s first wild card spot.
Auston Matthews scored for Toronto, and Dennis Hildeby had 14 saves. The Maple Leafs snapped a three-game winning streak.
Fantilli, a native of nearby Nobleton, Ontario, with 70 family and friends in attendance, pushed Columbus ahead 3-0 with 4:39 left in the second period with his second of the night.
Del Bel Belluz — who’s from Woodbridge, Ontario, also just outside Toronto — made it 4-0 at 5:56 of the third. After Matthews spoiled Merzlikins' shutout bid at 9:22, Fantilli completed his hat trick with an empty-netter with just under 8 minutes remaining.
Blue Jackets: Merzlikins appeared to suffer an injury during the morning skate, but was good to go against Toronto.
Maple Leafs: Matthew Knies (upper-body injury) left the game late in the second period following a big collision near the benches and didn’t return.
Merzlikins made a couple of big stops on Matthews in the middle period before van Riemsdyk and Fantilli scored 1:41 apart to put Columbus up 3-0.
Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski entered play leading the NHL in average ice time at 26:49. He played 24:43 in this game.
Blue Jackets visit Carolina on Thursday to finish a four-game trip, and Maple Leafs play at Ottawa on Saturday.
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AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Regular Season Series
CBJ lead 2-0
Game Information
- Referees:
- Kendrick Nicholson
- Jake Brenk
- Linesmen:
- Brad Kovachik
- Andrew Smith
2024-25 Metropolitan Division Standings
Team | W | L | OTL | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|
Washington | 36 | 11 | 8 | 80 |
Carolina | 33 | 19 | 4 | 70 |
New Jersey | 31 | 20 | 6 | 68 |
Columbus | 26 | 22 | 8 | 60 |
NY Rangers | 27 | 24 | 4 | 58 |
NY Islanders | 25 | 23 | 7 | 57 |
Pittsburgh | 23 | 25 | 9 | 55 |
Philadelphia | 24 | 26 | 7 | 55 |