Columbus Blue Jackets News

Despite a 6-2 loss where Merzlikins allowed five goals on 39 shots (.872 SV%) in their most recent outing, the Blue Jackets will roll with him between the pipes again as they continue their push for a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. The 30-year-old Latvian netminder has a 3.33 GAA and .904 SV% in his last six games (3-2-1). The Blue Jackets enter the action on Thursday as sizeable +244 road underdogs against a Florida Panthers club on a four-game winning streak.

Olivier has impressed in his third season with the Blue Jackets, averaging a career-high 14:26 time-on-ice and scoring a career-high 21 points (12G / 9A) through only 61 games this season. He has become a staple on the team's third line, collecting 232 hits, the second most in the NHL.

With Ryan Hartman returning to the lineup after an eight-game suspension, Gaunce will be sent to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 30-year-old Gaunce is averaging 10:00 time-on-ice and has zero points in seven games this season.

With Lian Bichsel (concussion) expect to return to the Stars' lineup on Tuesday, Smith will be the odd-man out as a healthy scratch. The 36-year-old Smith is averaging 12:51 time-on-ice and has four points (0G / 4A) in 27 games this season.

With Yegor Chinakhov (upper body) expected to return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Pyyhtia will be the odd-man out as a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Pyyhtia is averaging 12:06 time-on-ice and has seven points (4G / 3A) in 47 games this season.

The Blue Jackets have won four straight and will roll with Merzlikins between the pipes on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Merzlikins was terrific in his most recent outing, saving 43 of 46 shots (.935 SV%) in a 5-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings. The 30-year-old Merzlikins has a 2.96 GAA and .897 SV% in 40 games this season (22-14-4). The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as +141 road underdogs against a Lightning squad whose eight-game winning streak snapped last night in a 2-1 loss to the Florida Panthers.

Chinakhov has not played since November 27th but appears ready to return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Before his injury, the 23-year-old Chinakhov was averaging a career-high 17:01 time-on-ice, scoring 14 points (7G / 7A) in 21 games.

Chinakhov has not played since November 27th but appears to be nearing a return after practicing on Monday. Before his injury, the 23-year-old Chinakhov was averaging a career-high 17:01 time-on-ice, scoring 14 points (7G / 7A) in 21 games.

Gaunce will slot in for Devin Shore, who is a healthy scratch. Gaunce has played in five games this season and is yet to register a point.

Sillinger exited Thursday's 5-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings in the first period after only 2:54 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The 21-year-old Sillinger has 29 points (9G / 20A) and 62 hits in 54 games this season.

Cole Sillinger suffered an upper-body injury in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings, resulting in the Blue Jackets recalled Pyyhtia from the Cleveland Monsters (AHL). The 23-year-old Pyyhtia has seven points (4G / 3A) in 46 games with the Blue Jackets this season.

Sillinger exited Thursday's 5-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings in the first period after only 2:54 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The 21-year-old Sillinger has 29 points (9G / 20A) and 62 hits in 54 games this season.

Fasching has not played an NHL since January 5th due to an upper-body injury and will draw back into the lineup after a brief conditioning stint in Bridgeport (AHL). Before his injury, the 29-year-old Fasching averaged 8:56 time-on-ice and had yet to score a point through 19 games this season.

Gaunce has 28 points (13G / 15A) in 182 career NHL games but has primarily been an AHL player this season, limited to only five contests with Minnesota. The 30-year-old forward has 29 points (15G / 14A) in 35 games with Iowa (AHL) this season.

With Lian Bichsel (concussion) sidelined, Smith will re-enter the Stars' lineup on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 36-year-old Smith is averaging 12:44 time-on-ice and has four points (0G / 4A) through 24 games this season.

The Blue Jackets snapped a four-game losing skid in their most recent contest, a 5-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks when Merzlikins saved 27 of 28 shots (.964 SV%). The 30-year-old Merzlikins returns to the crease on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars, looking to improve his 2.94 GAA and .897 SV% through 38 games this season (20-14-4). The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as +154 home underdogs against a Stars squad with points in nine of their last 10 (8-1-1).