After falling at Tampa Bay Tuesday, the Columbus Blue Jackets were looking to salvage a point or two in their two-game swing through the state of Florida with a game against the Panthers Thursday in Sunrise.

While the Blue Jackets’ defense fared well against Florida, allowing only two power play goals until a Panther empty-netter at the end of the third period, the offense couldn’t muster any momentum and the Jackets were shut out, 3-0.

Columbus goaltender Elvis Merzlikins had a strong outing, stopping 33 shots on goal while allowing just two 5-on-4 tallies, one in the first period and one in the second. “He was fantastic. He was by far our best player,” said head coach Dean Evason. “He definitely gave us a chance.”

For the second straight contest, the Blue Jackets found themselves in difficult straits early in the first period, this game having to go on the penalty kill three times in the first eight minutes. “You get set back a little bit,” noted Evanson. “It allows them to get going for sure. We still didn’t generate enough 5-on-5.”

Columbus now travels to New York to take on the Rangers at Madison Square Garden Sunday. The game is slated to begin at 6:00 p.m. The Blue Jackets have lost twice to the Rangers this season, including a 1-0 shootout loss when they played at MSG in January.