Merzlikins makes 31 saves, Blue Jackets defeat Stars

COLUMBUS -- Elvis Merzlikins made 31 saves to help the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 4-1 win against the Dallas Stars at Nationwide Arena on Monday.

Oliver Bjorkstrand, Gregory Hofmann and Zach Werenski each had a goal and an assist for the Blue Jackets (4-2-0).
"We had a solid game all the way through," Columbus coach Brad Larsen said. Elvis was good all the way through. He has really been big for us."
Tyler Seguin denied Merzlikins his first shutout of the season at 17:41 of the third period after Braden Holtby was pulled for an extra attacker.
Holtby made 22 saves for the Stars (3-3-0), who won their previous two games.
"They had a lot of young guys over there that just simply work, but we didn't want to match it tonight for some reason," Dallas captain Jamie Benn said. "There is no excuse. We are just not competing."
Bjorkstrand gave Columbus a 1-0 lead at 5:53 of the first period for his third goal of the season. Jack Roslovic forced a turnover in the neutral zone and skated down the slot before passing to Bjorkstrand in the right circle.
Hofmann scored his first NHL goal in his sixth game at 10:39 of the second to make it 2-0 after a pass to the high slot by Bjorkstrand.

The 28-year-old forward played the previous 11 seasons in Switzerland.
"Great night, very special night," Hofmann said. "I thought maybe I could score in the first (period). It came in the second."
Werenski made it 3-0 at 5:14 of the third. Sean Kuraly's pass through the slot deflected off Seguin's stick to Werenski for a tap-in.
Alexandre Texier scored an empty-net goal at 18:11 for the 4-1 final.
"I know it's early, but until we decide to put our best game forward, which means preparation and playing with passion and competitiveness, this is what it's going to look like," Stars coach Rick Bowness said.
Merzlikins is 4-0-0 this season with a 1.48 goals-against average and .952 save percentage. He has dedicated the season to goalie Matiss Kivlenieks, his Blue Jackets and Latvian teammate who died in a fireworks accident July 4.
"There are goals where I want to go, where I want to reach," Merzlikins said. "Alone, I'm not going to reach them. I need help. I need help from my teammates, and I need help from Matiss. And I believe he's going to help me, and my team is helping me."
NOTES: It was Bjorkstrand's third multipoint game this season. … Holtby has started five of six games for the Stars. … Dallas defenseman John Klingberg returned after missing four games because of a lower-body injury. He had two shots on goal in 20:39 of ice time. … … Blue Jackets forward Patrik Laine had a five-game point streak (two goals, four assists) end. … Columbus forward Cole Sillinger nearly made it 2-0 at 7:17 of the second when he slipped a backhand between Holtby's pads, but video review determined the puck did not completely cross the line before Stars defenseman Esa Lindell pushed it away. … Blue Jackets defenseman Gabriel Carlsson made his season debut. He had one hit and one blocked shot in 12:27. … Kuraly's assist on Werenski's goal was his first point since the former Boston Bruins center signed as a free agent July 28.