COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Zach Werenski got his first career hat trick, Elvis Merlikins stopped 36 shots in his first NHL start and the battered Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Florida Panthers 4-1 on Tuesday night.
Werenski and the Blue Jackets served up a rude homecoming for Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, who was making his first appearance in Columbus since leaving as a free agent last summer. Bobrovsky, who played in Columbus for seven seasons and won two Vezina Trophies, had 24 saves.
Boone Jenner also scored for the Blue Jackets, who are missing 10 players to injuries and may have lost another, forward Alexander Texier, on Tuesday.