Blackhawks end skid on devotion

In Chicago, Kevin Lankinen came through with a big game for the Blackhawks and made 32 saves in a 4-1 win over the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday evening.

“Every single game, every single period I’m out there, I feel more and more relaxed. I get more and more confidence,” Lankinen said. “I don’t like to judge my game by the numbers that much.”

Boone Jenner scored the lone Blue Jackets’ goal.

“Yeah, they defend well but … we need to finish more, bear down on some chances, try to work to create more off the forecheck, off O-zone play, Jenner said. “We need to score more than one.”

The win snapped an 0-2-1 skid for Chicago.

Columbus native and newcomer to the Blue Jackets, Jack Roslovic, had an assist in the loss.

“You know that was all Boone there, from the blocked shot in the D-zone to chipping it in and battling out and getting a self-chip and then just hitting me,” Roslovic said. “I just shot it on net and he just finished it up and buried it.”

Patrick Kane and Philipp Kurashev had two points each on the night, including a goal apiece.

“Ton of credit to that group in there,” Blackhawks head coach Jeremy Colliton said. “They really competed hard and did a lot of little things away from the puck. We were hard in puck battles when we needed to. Obviously, [Lankinen] made some big saves for us. A couple big (penalty) kills for us particularly at the end.”

Pius Suter also scored for the Hawks when he staked them to a 1-0 lead.

“One just before it, [Merzlikins] went the other way so I tried to read it and see if it was on his backhand,” Suter said. “I went there and luckily for me [he] kind of bobbled it there then I just put it on net. Probably the right timing because he maybe wasn’t ready or went down a little bit late.”

Elvis Merzlikins made 33 saves in the loss, he was guilty of mishandling the puck behind his net on the Suter goal.

“I messed up big time,” Merzlikins said. “I take all the responsibility on my shoulders. I’m not going to go into excuses, but the luck wasn’t on my side this time. The puck got stuck on the board, I shoot it on the backhand. But goalies aren’t that good on the backhand, so maybe I shouldn’t shoot maybe on the backhand. I should shoot on the forehand. I mess up not once, but twice. The team doesn’t deserve this.”