Columbus Blue Jackets News

Merzlikins will start on Wednesday vs. the Islanders.

For the first time this season, the Blue Jackets will roll with Merzlikins between the pipes for consecutive games. After allowing seven goals on 48 shots (.854 SV%) in his first two contests, Merzlikins was tremendous in his third on Monday night, saving 31 of 32 shots (.969 SV%) in a 6-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers. The Blue Jackets enter the action on Wednesday as +130 home underdogs against a New York Islanders club that has only scored 22 goals in nine games this season, the third-fewest in the league.

Elvis Merzlikins
Merzlikins will start on Monday vs. Edmonton.

Merzlikins has not played since October 15th and is winless in two outings this season, posting an ugly 3.68 GAA and .854 SV%, but will likely return to the crease on Monday night against the Edmonton Oilers. In his previous two seasons combined, Merzlikins has a horrid 3.77 GAA and .889 SV% in 71 appearances (20-35-10), and the start of his 2024-25 campaign has not been promising for a resurgence. The Blue Jackets enter action on Monday as +212 home underdogs against the Oilers.

Elvis Merzlikins
Merzlikins is in the starter's crease at Columbus' morning skate.

Merzlikins has not played since October 15th and is winless in two outings this season, posting an ugly 3.68 GAA and .854 SV%, but will likely return to the crease on Monday night against the Edmonton Oilers. In his previous two seasons combined, Merzlikins has a horrid 3.77 GAA and .889 SV% in 71 appearances (20-35-10), and the start of his 2024-25 campaign has not been promising for a resurgence. The Blue Jackets enter action on Monday as +212 home underdogs against the Oilers.

Elvis Merzlikins
Johnson (upper-body) will miss significant time but will not require surgery.

Fortunately for Johnson and the Blue Jackets, Johnson will not require surgery, the slimmest of silver linings on unfortunate injury news on the talented youngster. The 22-year-old Johnson was showing signs of a true breakout campaign with two goals and three assists in his first four games.

Kent Johnson
Gudbranson underwent successful shoulder surgery and is without a timetable to return.

Gudbranson was placed on IR earlier in the week and underwent successful shoulder surgery on Monday but is without a timetable to return. The 32-year-old is in his 14th NHL season and third with Columbus but had failed to pick up a point in three games prior to his injury.

Erik Gudbranson
Harris will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday vs. Toronto.

After playing their last contest with seven defensemen, the Blue Jackets will return to the traditional 12-6 formation as Kevin Labanc will draw into the lineup in favor of Harris. Harris played the last three games for the Blue Jackets, recording a -1 plus/minus, four penalty minutes, two shots, and one hit.

Jordan Harris
Labanc will draw back into Columbus' lineup on Tuesday vs. Toronto.

The Blue Jackets will return to the traditional 12-6 formation on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs as Labanc will draw back into the lineup and Jordan Harris will be a healthy scratch. Labanc was signed by the Blue Jackets prior to the start of the season and has added some offensive contributions, tallying two points (0G / 2A) in three games.

Kevin Labanc
Tarasov will start on Tuesday vs. Toronto.

Elvis Merzlikins (upper body) is back with the Blue Jackets, but the team will turn to Tarasov between the pipes for a third straight game on Tuesday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite a pedestrian 3.70 GAA and .875 SV%, Tarasov has been serviceable between the pipes for the Blue Jackets, helping them post a 2-1-0 record when he has been in goal. That said, the Blue Jackets enter action as sizeable +194 road underdogs against a Maple Leafs club that defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2 last night.

Daniil Tarasov
Tarasov is in the starter's crease at the Blue Jackets morning skate.

Elvis Merzlikins (upper body) is back with the Blue Jackets, but the team will turn to Tarasov between the pipes for a third straight game on Tuesday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite a pedestrian 3.70 GAA and .875 SV%, Tarasov has been serviceable between the pipes for the Blue Jackets, helping them post a 2-1-0 record when he has been in goal. That said, the Blue Jackets enter action as sizeable +194 road underdogs against a Maple Leafs club that defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2 last night.

Daniil Tarasov
Merzlikins (upper-body) returned to practice in full on Monday.

Merzlikins has not dressed for the last two games, recovering from an upper-body injury, but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup after being a full participant at practice on Monday. In his previous two seasons combined, Merzlikins has a horrid 3.77 GAA and .889 SV% in 71 appearances (20-35-10). Through two starts this season, Merzlikins is showcasing similar results, posting a 0-2-0 record with a 3.68 GAA and .854 SV%.

Elvis Merzlikins
Johnson (upper-body) is without a timeline to return and expected to be out long-term.

Johnson left Columbus' previous game vs. Buffalo after just 6:26 TOI due to an upper-body injury and is now expected to miss some time after head coach Dean Evason stated "it's not short-term" in regards to his return. It is unfortunate news for the 22-year-old, who was showing signs of a true breakout campaign with two goals, five points and eight SOG in his first four games played.

Kent Johnson
Jiricek will make his season debut on Saturday vs. Minnesota.

Jiricek had 10 points (1G / 9A) in 43 games with the Blue Jackets last season. The talented 20-year-old offensive Czech defenseman had an impressive playoff run with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) last season, scoring 11 points (3G / 8A) in 14 games, and is trying to become a full-time NHLer this season.

David Jiricek
Chinakhov (undisclosed) is likely to play on Saturday vs. Minnesota.

Chinakhov is battling an undisclosed ailment but isn't expected to miss anytime, continuing his torrid start to the 2024-25 season. The 23-year-old Chinakhov is averaging 18:44 time-on-ice through four games this season, nearly four minutes more than last season, and has tallied six points (2G / 4A).

Yegor Chinakhov
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