LAS VEGAS — Since that day last spring when he arrived in Columbus from Lugano, Switzerland, the Blue Jackets have been torn and tormented about how to handle the irrepressible spirit that is goaltender Elvis Merzlikins.



But if you’ve watched the 25-year-old Latvian’s recent run of play, it’s hard to believe the NHL, the Blue Jackets and soon the city of Columbus aren’t witnessing the beginning stages of something special.



The Blue Jackets have had their share of stars, standouts, and characters during their almost two decades on the ice, but no player has possessed the mixture of high-end talent, world-class charisma and a flair for the dramatic quite like Merzlikins.



As the Blue Jackets loaded their gear to pull out of Las Vegas late Saturday after Merzlikins pitched a 27-save shutout, there was a sense that a wildly successful road trip has helped foster a new level of trust that Merzlikins can handle what’s before...