Columbus Blue Jackets News

Voronkov suffered an upper-body injury in the Blue Jackets' preseason finale and has missed the first nine games of the season. The 24-year-old had a productive first NHL season, scoring 18 goals, 34 points and 52 PIMs as a rookie in 75 games played in 2023-24.

The Blue Jackets will return to Merzlikins between the pipes for a third straight game on Friday. After not occupying the crease in four straight, Merzlikins has regained the faith of the Blue Jackets faithful after two incredible performances (2-0-0), saving a combined 57 of 58 shots (.983 SV%), including a 26-save shutout in his previous outing, a 2-0 win over the New York Islanders. That said, Merzlikins and the Blue Jackets will be hard-pressed to extend their winning streak to three games, entering Friday's contest against the 9-1-0 Winnipeg Jets as +160 home underdogs.

With no reason being given for his absence, Fabbro appears to be a healthy scratch. Marc Del Gaizo will draw into the lineup in his place.

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.

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.

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.

Jiricek played the last two games but will continue to rotate with Jordan Harris in Saturday's game in Nashville. Jiriceck has on assists in two games this season.

Tarasov allowed two goals on 28 shots in the Blue Jackets win over the Maple Leafs on Tuesday. It was an outstanding game for Tarasov, who will start his fourth straight game on Saturday. Tarasov has gone 3-1-0 with a 3.29 GAA and .888 SV% in four starts this season.

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.

Harris is expected to draw back into Columbus' lineup on Saturday in Nashville. Harris did not play in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs but will return to the lineup on Saturday for his fourth game of the season.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Elvis Merzlikins (upper-body) returned to practice on Monday and, as expected, Greaves has been reassigned to the Cleveland Monsters (AHL). The 23-year-old Greaves played nine games with the Blue Jackets last season (3-6-0), posting a 3.49 GAA and .908 SV%.