Gameday Report: Korpisalo to get the Game 1 start vs. Toronto

The mystery is now over. The Blue Jackets have their starting goaltender for Game 1 of the Stanley Cup qualifiers tonight vs. Toronto.

And that goalie is Joonas Korpisalo.

Both Korpisalo and Elvis Merzlikins turned in big performances for the Blue Jackets this season, and team members have spent the past three weeks since training camp began saying that they had plenty of faith in either to start in net.

But only one could do so, and head coach John Tortorella said Sunday morning that it will be Korpisalo in net against the Maple Leafs.

"We're not in the bubble out here if it isn't for those two guys," Tortorella said of the goalies. "They both had a lot to do with this team getting here. They both are very capable. We have decided on Korpi to start Game 1."

As Tortorella said, the strength of the goaltending was the great unknown coming into the season after the departure of Sergei Bobrovsky, the team's starter for seven seasons and a two-time Vezina Trophy winner, in free agency.

Korpisalo had served as Bobrovsky's backup for four of those seasons but had never taken on the starting job full-time, while Merzlikins had spent the previous six seasons starring in Switerland but had not played a game in North America before the campaign.

But each served as the backbone of the team at times this year. First Korpisalo got on a red-hot run, heating up in November and December to go 14-6-4 in his last 25 games while posting a 2.34 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage in that span despite battling through a knee injury that cost him a month and a half. In all, he finished the regular season 19-12-5 with a 2.60 GAA and .911 save percentage.

Then there's Merzlikins, who was 0-4-4 in his first 10 games, all CBJ losses, before an abrupt about-face to his season starting with his New Year's Eve win vs. Florida after Korpisalo went down with said injury. From that point on, he had a 13-5-4 record with a 1.97 GAA and .935 save percentage on the way to a season mark of 13-9-8 with a 2.35 GAA, .923 save percentage and five shutouts.

So there wasn't a bad option, and in the end, the Blue Jackets have chosen to go with Korpisalo to start things off against the Maple Leafs.

"I just think (Merzlikins) understands Korpi has paid his dues," CBJ captain Nick Foligno said today. "Not to knock Elvis and what he's accomplished, but Korpi has been at it. He's earned this opportunity. I think we're really excited for this chance for him, full-on knowing that Elvis is fully capable of stepping in and playing.

"I think that's the luxury we have, and that's the hard decision that thankfully the coaches make and not us. We have two great goalies and we believe so strongly in both of them, and we're excited to get going with Korpi here and make sure we hit the ground running."

While Merzlikins has never faced the Maple Leafs, Korpisalo has done so eight times in his career including twice this season. In all, Korpisalo is 5-3-0 vs. Toronto with a 2.87 GAA and .913 save percentage.

"Right now it's Korpi," defenseman Seth Jones said, "and I know he's going to play well."

In other roster news, Tortorella confirmed Dean Kukan will be active on defense and pair with Ryan Murray. Kukan gets the nod over Markus Nutivaara and Scott Harrington, who will both be scratched. Nathan Gerbe, the 13th forward in Thursday's exhibition game vs. Boston, also will be scratched.

Postseason Firsts, Records

If the lineup is comprised as expected, this will be the first-ever playoff game for four Blue Jackets players -- forwards Liam Foudy, Emil Bemstrom and Eric Robinson as well as Merzlikins.

For Korpisalo, it will be his first-ever postseason appearance. The goalie will become the third goaltender to man the Columbus net in a postseason game, joining Steve Mason (four appearances) and Sergei Bobrovsky (27 appearances).

Bobrovsky is tied with Cam Atkinson, Brandon Dubinsky, Boone Jenner and David Savard for the most playoff games in CBJ history, with Atkinson, Jenner and Savard primed to move to 28 career playoff games with the Blue Jackets tonight. Atkinson, Jenner and Artemi Panarin each have seven postseason goals to lead the Jackets, while Seth Jones' 12 assists are tops. Atkinson and Panarin each have 18 points to lead the way in that category.

The only player on the current roster with two postseason game-winning goals in union blue? Oliver Bjorkstrand (Games 3 and 4 vs. Tampa last year).

Get Ready For The Game

Earlier this week, Blue Jackets broadcasters Jeff Rimer, Jody Shelley, Bob McElligott and Jean-Luc Grand-Pierre broke down the upcoming series vs. Toronto. Check out those videos below.

Here are some other notable links to get you ready for tonight.

• Video: Watch the first episode of our Playoff Preview Show!
• Video: Watch the first episode of our Playoff Preview Show!
• Video: Watch the first episode of our Playoff Preview Show!
• Video: Watch the first episode of our Playoff Preview Show!
• Video: Watch the first episode of our Playoff Preview Show!
• Video: Watch the first episode of our Playoff Preview Show!
• Video: Watch the first episode of our Playoff Preview Show!
• Video: Watch the first episode of our Playoff Preview Show!
• Video: Watch the first episode of our Playoff Preview Show!
• Video: Watch the first episode of our Playoff Preview Show!
• Video: Watch the first episode of our Playoff Preview Show!