An arrant puck hit and broke Marchenko's jaw while he was sitting on the bench in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Dallas Stars. The 24-year-old will be out of the lineup indefinitely, a crushing blow of the Blue Jackets' offense. Marchenko was having a breakout season, scoring 55 points (21G / 34A) in 53 games.
Heinen was acquired from Vancouver on Friday night and is expected to arrive in Pittsburgh in time for Saturday's game, but it's unclear if he will make his Penguins season debut or not. Heinen has 18 points (6G / 12A) in 51 games this season.
Marchment has been sidelined since December 27th, so the move to IR was simply to create a roster spot. Marchment has been skating recently and appears close to returning to the Stars lineup. The move to IR does not affect his timeline.
Zamula has not played the previous four games for the Flyers due to an upper-body injury and has been placed on Injured Reserve retroactive to January 23rd. Before his injury, the 24-year-old Zamula was averaging 16:52 time-on-ice and had 11 points (3G / 8A) in 39 games.
Sillinger has not played the previous three games due to an upper-body injury but will re-enter the lineup on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 21-year-old Sillinger is averaging 17:40 time-on-ice and has 23 points (7G / 16A) in 45 games this season.
Fasching has not played since January 5th due to an upper-body injury and will spend some time in the AHL on a conditioning stint. 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.
The Blue Jackets are coming off a 3-2 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Kings when Merzlikins saved 31 of 33 shots (.939 SV%). Merzlikins will return to the crease on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights, looking to improve his 2.95 GAA and .894 SV% through 32 games (18-11-3). The 30-year-old netminder has been solid lately, allowing three or fewer goals in six straight (5-1-0), posting a .925 SV%. The Blue Jackets enter the action on Thursday as +252 road underdogs against a Golden Knights team that has lost six of their last eight (2-4-2).
Fedotov was serviceable entering last night's disappointing 5-0 loss to the New Jersey Devils in relief of Samuel Ersson, saving nine of 10 shots (.900 SV%). The 28-year-old Fedotov has a 3.22 GAA and .880 SV% in 15 appearances this season (4-6-3) but has been better lately. He has a .908 SV% in his last three appearances (0-1-1). The Flyers enter Thursday's contest as +112 home underdogs against a New York Islanders club riding a season-best five-game winning streak.
Marchment has not played since suffering an upper-body injury on December 27th, missing 15 straight games, but appears to be nearing a return after being a full participant at practice on Monday. Before his injury, the 29-year-old Marchment was pacing for a career-best season with 27 points (12G / 15A) in 33 games. Dallas returns to action on Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Knights.
