Merzlikins Solid in Return, Blue Jackets Beat Canucks 2-1

VANCOUVER, British Columbia (AP) — Elvis Merzlikins made 26 saves in his return after missing four games with a concussion, and the Columbus Blue Jackets held off the Vancouver Canucks for a 2-1 victory. Emil Bemstrom and Eric Robinson scored for Columbus, which moved two points ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes and New York Islanders for the top Eastern Conference wild card. Elias Pettersson got the goal for the Canucks, who are tied with Nashville and Winnipeg for the second wild card in the West.