TORONTO—Adam Fantilli scored three goals for his first career hat trick, Elvis Merzlikins stopped 29 shots, and the Columbus Blue Jackets beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 5–1 on Wednesday night.
Luca Del Bel Belluz had a goal and an assist, and James van Riemsdyk also scored for Columbus. The Blue Jackets improved to 7–1–1 in their last nine games and moved into the Eastern Conference’s first wild card spot.
Auston Matthews scored for Toronto, and Dennis Hildeby had 14 saves. The Maple Leafs snapped a three-game winning streak.
Fantilli, a native of nearby Nobleton, Ontario, with 70 family and friends in attendance, pushed Columbus ahead 3–0 with 4:39 left in the second period with his second of the night.
Del Bel Belluz — who’s from Woodbridge, Ontario, also just outside Toronto — made it 4–0 at 5:56 of the third. After Matthews spoiled Merzlikins’ shutout bid at 9:22, Fantilli completed his hat trick with an empty-netter with just under 8 minutes remaining.
Takeaways
Blue Jackets: Merzlikins appeared to suffer an injury during the morning skate, but was good to go against Toronto.Maple Leafs: Matthew Knies (upper-body injury) left the game late in the second period following a big collision near the benches and didn’t return.
