Blue Jackets give nod to Korpisalo over Merzlikins in goal for series finale vs. Leafs

The Columbus Blue Jackets are going back to Joonas Korpisalo in net against the Toronto Maple Leafs for Game 5 of their best-of-five qualifying series Sunday.

The Maple Leafs forced a deciding fifth game in the series with a 4-3 comeback win in overtime on Friday, with Elvis Merzlikins in net for Columbus. Merzlikins allowed three goals in the final 3:57 as Toronto tied the game.

Korpisalo started the first three games of the best-of-five, but was pulled for Merzlikins midway through the second period of Game 3 after allowing three goals on 15 shots. Columbus rallied from a three-goal deficit to win that game in overtime.

Korpisalo shut out the Maple Leafs in Game 1, and allowed two goals in Columbus's Game 2 loss.

The winner of Sunday's game will play the Tampa Bay Lightning in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.

WATCH | Auston Matthews' OT winner in Game 4:

Matthews nets overtime winner to cap miraculous Maple Leafs comeback

4 years ago

Duration 1:46

Auston Matthews snapped home the overtime winner to put a stamp on an insane 4-3 Maple Leafs comeback victory over the Blue Jackets. Toronto and Columbus will face off Sunday in Game 5.