Columbus Blue Jackets News

Pyyhtia will make his season debut on Thursday vs. Ottawa.

With Yegor Chinakhov out of the lineup battling an upper-body injury, Pyyhtia will make his season debut on Thursday. Pyyhtia was the fourth-round pick of the Blue Jackets in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and has 27 points (7G / 20A) in 57 games with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) this season.

Mikael Pyyhtia
Marchenko (illness) will return to the Columbus lineup on Thursday vs. Ottawa.

Marchenko did not play on Tuesday due to an illness but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators, providing a sizeable boost for a team already without Sean Kuraly and Yegor Chinakhov. Marchenko has four points (1G / 3A) in his last eight games while being a healthy scratch once in that stretch.

Kirill Marchenko
Merzlikins will start on Thursday vs. Ottawa.

The Blue Jackets will return to Merzlikins between the pipes after a forgettable performance in his last outing. On Tuesday, Merzlikins allowed three goals on four shots (.250 SV%) before being pulled in the first period en route to a disappointing 3-0 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Before that, Merzlikins had been playing well, allowing two or fewer goals in three straight starts (2-1-0). The Blue Jackets enter action as +109 home underdogs against the Ottawa Senators.

Elvis Merzlikins
Marchenko (illness) is a game-time decision but trending in the right direction for Thursday vs. Ottawa.

Marchenko did not play on Tuesday due to an illness but could return to the lineup on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators, providing a sizeable boost for a team already without Sean Kuraly and Yegor Chinakhov. Marchenko has four points (1G / 3A) in his last eight games while being a healthy scratch once in that stretch.

Kirill Marchenko
Kuraly (lower body) is considered week-to-week.

Kuraly exited Tuesday's 3-0 loss to the Montreal Canadiens after playing only 9:21 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury. The 31-year-old Kuraly already missed an extended period of the season with an abdominal injury. He has 17 points (9G / 8A) in 51 games this season.

Sean Kuraly
Merzlikins will start on Tuesday in Montreal.

Merzlikins has not started since March 2nd, but he will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Montreal Canadiens. Merzlikins allowed three goals on 30 shots (.900 SV%) in his last outing against the Canadiens, a 4-2 loss in November. That said, he has allowed two or fewer goals in his last three starts (2-1-0), including saving 26 of 28 (.929 SV%) in a 5-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks in his last contest.

Elvis Merzlikins
Merzlikins is likely to start on Tuesday vs. Montreal.

Merzlikins has not played the last four games but will likely return to the crease on Tuesday against the Montreal Canadiens. Despite his recent inactivity, Merzlikins has been solid lately, allowing only two goals in each of his last three outings (2-1-0), including saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in his last outing, a 5-2 win over the Chicago Blackhawks.

Elvis Merzlikins
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