Gameday Report: Werenski, Murray to play in Game 5 for Blue Jackets

The Blue Jackets and their fans have some good news ahead of Sunday night's series-deciding Game 5 showdown with Toronto.

Head coach John Tortorella confirmed Sunday after the team's morning skate that top-pair defenseman Zach Werenski and fellow blueliner Ryan Murray will play in Game 5 against Toronto after injuries issues in Game 4.

Werenski, who led all NHL defensemen with 20 goals during the regular season, drew a penalty midway through the third period of Friday night's game when he was tripped up by Mitchell Marner. Television cameras spotted him in conversation on the bench after that shift with Blue Jackets trainer Mike Vogt, and Werenski played one more shift on the power play before being done for the night.

Murray, meanwhile, did not play in Game 4, and Tortorella confirmed Sunday his absence was injury-related.

But as Tortorella said, both are expected to be in the lineup for Sunday night's finale.

"Obviously our defensive depth is a big part of our team and I'm happy that they're back in the lineup," Seth Jones said. "They're big pieces offensively and defensively and in all situations so they should play a key part in the win."

Werenski and Murray are both excellent two-way defensemen, but with slightly different styles. The former pairs with Jones to make one of the best top pairs in the league, and Werenski's shot has made him one of the top-scoring blueliners in the game and an integral part of the team's power play. A key penalty killer as well and someone whose calm on the puck is key in the team's transition game, Werenski averaged 28:28 of ice time per game through the opening three games of the series.

Murray, meanwhile, is a smooth-skating defenseman with an excellent breakout pass who also excels at reading plays and calmness in his own zone. He is expected to return to a pairing with Dean Kukan on Sunday night.

The Blue Jackets have been no stranger to dealing with injuries this year, with the team losing 419 man-games to various maladies, most in the NHL this year and second most in franchise history. Even Werenski and Murray weren't immune, as Werenski missed seven games in early December after suffering a shoulder injury in a game vs. the New York Islanders and Murray's recurring back troubles limited him to 27 games.

But facing an elimination game Sunday night, both are expected to be ready to go against the Maple Leafs.

Korpisalo in net

In other lineup news, Tortorella said that the Blue Jackets will turn to Joonas Korpisalo in net to start Game 5, while Elvis Merzlikins is listed as "unfit to play" and will not be dressed.

The Blue Jackets have received excellent goaltending from both Korpisalo and Merzlikins in the first two games, with Korpisalo starting the series with 96:00 of shutout play. But with the team in a 3-0 hole in Game 3, Tortorella turned to Merzlikins, a move that sparked a comeback and started Merzlikins out on a 105:38 shutout streak of his own before Toronto's goals late in Game 4.

For the series, Korpisalo has a 2.05 goals-against average and a .938 save percentage, while Merzlikins has a 1.96 GAA and .946 save percentage.

"Obviously Korpi has had a great year before his injury and came back and has done some great things in the series for us," Jones said. "Whatever goalie is in the net, we're happy and confident and comfortable with that. I know he'll have a great game tonight."

Matiss Kivlenieks will back up Korpisalo for Game 5.

Momentum Changes

As pointed out by The Athletic's Aaron Portzline, here's how the run of goals has been scored this series in chronological order.

In other words, it's a series in which the phrase "momentum swing" has been a bit of an understatement.

"I don't remember a while lot from way back (in previous series), but I don't remember the size of the momentum swings as we've had here," Tortorella said Sunday. "That's what's made it such a great series."

There's not much doubt it has been a great series, albeit one the Blue Jackets and their fans wish had ended Friday night. But while the final moments of the game, in which Toronto scored three times in four minutes with an empty net before getting the power-play winner in overtime, will be the ones that stick out, Tortorella would much rather focus on the 56 minutes before that.

Columbus played its best defensive game of the series while building its 3-0 lead, allowing the Maple Leafs just five high-danger chances at 5-on-5 in regulation, per Natural Stat Trick, including zero such chances in the third period.

So to the head coach, the Blue Jackets just have to stay steady and play their game in Game 5.

"We're not changing," he said. "We thought we played a good game. We (gave) it away with a couple of bad plays and just within a couple of minutes. We thought we played a good game. We're going to go play the same way."

Get Ready for the Game

Tortorella, Jones and forward Oliver Bjorkstrand met with the media Sunday morning after the team's skate to discuss Game 5.

You can also listen to Tortorella's pregame interview with McElligott with insight into what to expect in the game.

Here are some other notable links to get you ready for tonight.

• PREVIEW: It's all on the line for Blue Jackets, Maple Leafs in Game 5
• Blue Jackets eager to show resiliency in Game 5
• Defense, depth continue to be keys for the Blue Jackets
• Everything you need to know about the series
• NHL jazzes up atmopshere during unique time
• Playoff streak continues, but Blue Jackets have eyes on more
• Packing for Toronto was a big task for equipment staff
• CBJ appreciated support of 5th Line during camp
• Cam Atkinson a finalist for King Clancy Award](https://www.nhl.com/bluejackets/news/cam-atkinson-named-one-of-31-nominees-for-king-clancy-memorial-trophy/c-317649452)
• 2020 postseason roster