Blue Jackets lock down drama-free win under coach Bowness

The Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Vancouver Canucks 4-1 as new coach Rick Bowness' team held steady and goalie Elvis Merzlikins made 30 saves in a calm performance.

The Columbus Blue Jackets opened a new chapter under interim coach Rick Bowness with a 4-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks at Nationwide Arena. The game showed two early benefits of the coaching change: steadier play late in games and a composed performance from goalie Elvis Merzlikins. Bowness described the team's play as a clean start and said he is focused on how he wants the team to play now. Merzlikins credited the new coach and said the club has new energy. Key facts: - Final score: Blue Jackets 4, Canucks 1; attendance 14,918 at Nationwide Arena. - Elvis Merzlikins made 30 saves, earned his first win since Dec. 4 and allowed fewer than three goals for only the second time this season. - Goal scorers for Columbus were Charlie Coyle, Kirill Marchenko, Zach Werenski and Kent Johnson; Johnson scored midway through the third period to extend the lead. - Charlie Coyle has four goals in his last three games, has played 997 career games and has 199 career goals, with a 1,000th-game milestone possible next Thursday against the Dallas Stars. - The Blue Jackets have won three straight games overall and two since Bowness took over behind the bench. - The article notes Vancouver is coached by former Columbus captain Adam Foote and reports the Canucks are the NHL's worst team this season. Summary: The coaching change has coincided with steadier late-period play and a strong showing from the goaltender, helping Columbus to consecutive wins. Undetermined at this time is whether the patterns from these games will hold over a longer stretch, though individual milestones and upcoming matchups were noted in the report.