Fantilli Gets 1st Career Hat Trick as Blue Jackets Beat Maple Leafs 5–1

Columbus Blue Jackets' Adam Fantilli (19) looks on as fans celebrate his third goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during third period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Wednesday, January 22, 2025. Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP

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.