The second goal prompted Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason to make a quick goaltending change from Tarasov to Merzlikins, who started 22 hours earlier in a 5-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs at Scotiabank Arena. The switch in goalies snapped the Blue Jackets awake, but their slumber was only half the issue.

Linus Ullmark made 30 saves for Ottawa’s second straight shutout and the Senators moved to the brink of their first playoff appearance since 2017, beating the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-0 on Sunday for their third straight victory.

A 5-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday was the latest gut punch, and the apparent unraveling of what’s been a memorable season is getting harder to watch. This was the fifth time they’ve been shut out in 15 games since seizing control of the first wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference on March 1.