Fantilli was caught in a walking boot Sunday after the Blue Jackets' game after leaving early in the game after just 7:30 TOI and is not questionable to play Tuesday vs. St. Louis. The 19-year-old was the 2023 third overall pick and has been excelling in his first NHL season with Columbus, picking up 12 goals, 27 points, 115 SOG, 16 PIMs and -21 plus/minus.
Sam Malinski will be a healthy scratch on Friday, allowing Johson to draw back into the lineup after a one-game absence due to a lower-body injury. Johnson has been held without a point in eight straight games and will likely play on the third defensive pair with Bowen Byram.
After starting four straight, Tarasov served as the backup to Elvis Merzlikins in the last three contests but will return to the crease on Thursday night in Calgary. Tarasov has lost his last three games (0-2-1), allowing four or more goals in each, posting an abysmal .840 SV%. The Blue Jackets have been outscored 8-2 in their last two games (0-2-0) and are +168 road underdogs against the Flames.
Werenski has been out of the lineup since December 27th, missing 10 straight games, but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Calgary Flames. He has been a solid contributor for the Blue Jackets on the blueline this season, scoring 19 points, all assists, in his last 23 games before his injury. Expect Werenski to regain his position as the quarterback on the Blue Jackets' top powerplay unit. David Jiricek was reassigned to the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL in a corresponding move.
Werenski has been out of the lineup since December 27th, missing 10 straight games, but is expected to return to the lineup on Thursday against the Calgary Flames. He has been a solid contributor for the Blue Jackets on the blueline this season, scoring 19 points, all assists, in his last 23 games before his injury. Expect Werenski to regain his position as the quarterback on the Blue Jackets' top powerplay unit.
Johnson missed time with a lower-body injury earlier this season and will be sidelined again, starting with Wednesday's contest against the Washington Capitals. The 37-year-old Johnson has zero points, seven hits, and six shots in his last eight games.
After serving as the backup for six straight games, Merzlikins will start for the third straight time on Tuesday evening. Merzlikins allowed four goals on 32 shots (.875 SV%) in his last outing, a 4-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils, his first regulation loss since the beginning of December. Before that, Merzlikins was sporting a respectable .905 SV% in his last seven appearances (3-0-3). That said, Merzlikins and the Blue Jackets are overwhelming +298 road underdogs against a scorching Edmonton Oilers club searching for their 14th straight victory.
Harris will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Johnathan Kovacevic to draw back into the Canadiens' lineup. Harris played the last 13 games for the Canadiens, registering three points (1G / 2A) in the process.
Tyson Barrie will be a healthy scratch on Monday, allowing Fabbro to re-enter the Predators' lineup. Before being a healthy scratch on Saturday, Fabbro played 11 straight games, tallying two points (0G / 2A).
Hunt returns to the press box Friday as Minnesota's defensive carousel continues with Alex Goligoski drawing back into the lineup. The 21-year-old Hunt is in his first NHL season and has yet to score but has a goal, seven SOG, and a -1 plus/minus in 12 games played.
After not playing for six straight games, a strong outing in the Blue Jackets last contest on Tuesday has prompted them to turn to Merzlikins again on Friday. The Latvian netminder saved 27 of 30 shots (.900 SV%) in a 4-3 victory over the Vancouver Canucks, his first win since December 14th. Merzlikins and the Blue Jackets are +134 home underdogs against a struggling and injury-depleted New Jersey Devils squad that has lost two straight, being outscored 6-2.
Jenner has not played since December 8th, missing the last 15 games, but is slated to make his return to the Blue Jackets lineup on Friday against the New Jersey Devils. Before his injury, Jenner was one of a few bright spots in a miserable season for the Blue Jackets, scoring 18 points (13G / 5A), firing 80 shots on goals, and registering 44 hits in 29 games.
Kuraly will make his first appearance since exiting December 23rd's game against the Maple Leafs with an abdominal injury. He has six goals and five assists in 35 games this season.
