By Joe Coopersmith

GAME AT A GLANCE

THREE STARS 1^st – T. Toffoli, WPG (2-1-3); 2^nd – C. Hellebuyck, WPG (stopped 30-of-31 shots faced, W); 3^rd – N. Ehlers, WPG (1-1-2, GWG)

GOAL SCORERS
Columbus: B. Gaunce (2)

Winnipeg: K. Connor (29), N. Ehlers (20), T. Toffoli (29), L. Stanley (1), V. Namestnikov (9), T. Toffoli (30)

GOALTENDERS
Columbus: E. Merzlikins (21 saves, L)
Winnipeg: C. Hellebuyck (30 saves, W)

SPECIAL TEAMS
Columbus PP:  0-for-2, 5 shots
Winnipeg PP:  0-for-1, 1 shot

BLUE JACKETS TEAM NOTES

• The Blue Jackets fell to 4-4-1 in the last nine games and 7-8-1 in the past 16 contests following tonight’s loss to Winnipeg.
• The winning team has scored three-plus goals in 19 of the last 20 games in the series against the Jets, including 10-straight since Jan. 31, 2019.
• Columbus killed off Winnipeg’s lone power play opportunity tonight and has now killed off 12-of-13 opponent power play chances over the last five games (92.3 pct.) and 32 of the past 37 chances over the last 14 games (86.5 pct.)
• With D Jake Christiansen’s assist tonight, CBJ blueliners have now recorded 13-47-60 in the last 30 games and 26-123-149 in 68 games this season.
• The Blue Jackets blocked 11 shots tonight and have now blocked 965 shots over the past 57 games dating back to Nov. 6 and 1,174 this season.
• Columbus recorded 31 shots on goal tonight and has posted 129 shots on goal over the past four games and 591 shots on goal over the past 18 contests dating back to Feb. 10 (32.8).
• Columbus concluded its 11^th of 13^th back-to-back sets this season on Saturday vs. San Jose and Sunday vs. Winnipeg. It was the only home-home back-to-back set of the campaign for the club. The team fell to 8-11-3 in back-to-back sets this season (4-5-2 second game).

BLUE JACKETS PLAYER NOTES_­

• C Brendan Gaunce scored a goal to give him 2-2-4 in 12 appearances this season.
• D Jake Christiansen registered an assist and now has 0-2-2 in 5 contests this season.
• RW Mathieu Olivier tallied an assist, giving him 2-1-3 in his past nine games (overall, 3-5-8 in 40 GP).
• D Ivan Provorov skated in his 600^th career NHL game tonight (70-176-246).
• D Damon Severson skated in his 700^th career NHL game tonight (64-219-283).

BLUE JACKETS POST-GAME AUDIO INTERVIEWS

HC Pascal Vincent | F Brendan Gaunce | F Boone Jenner | G Elvis Merzlikins

JETS POST-GAME AUDIO INTERVIEWS

HC Rick Bowness | D Logan Stanley | F Tyler Toffoli

BLUE JACKETS UPCOMING SCHEDULE

Monday, Mar. 18                    No Practice

Tuesday, Mar. 19                   7pm ET at Detroit Red Wings – Little Caesars Arena

Wednesday, Mar. 20            No Practice

COURTESY BLUE JACKETS COMMUNICATIONS