Columbus Blue Jackets News

van Riemsdyk had surgery on his left-index finger Friday. He is expected to be out for six weeks.

Jiricek was the No.6 pick in the 2022 draft this past June. The 18-year-old prospect will be filling in for Adam Boqvist who was announced out for six weeks (foot) Wednesday.

Olivier has one assist and seven PIMs in eight games played to start 2022-23 prior to heading to the press box as the odd man out of the Blue Jackets' lineup. Liam Foudy will take his place Friday.

Merzlikins stopped five of six shots (.833 SV%) his last time out taking the crease as he came in as relief in a 6-3 loss to Arizona Tuesday. Merzlikins has struggled to find his footing this season, posting a .863 SV% and 4.06 GAA through five starts. He draws the task of taking on a surging Boston Bruins team that is coming off a 5-1 victory last night over the Detroit Red Wings to continue their four-game winning streak and move their record to 7-1-0.

Jiricek was the No.6 pick in the 2022 draft this past June. The 18-year-old prospect will be filling in for Adam Boqvist who was announced out for six weeks (foot) Wednesday.

Danforth suffered the upper-body injury in Columbus' 6-3 loss over Pittsburgh Saturday. He was not in the lineup for their 5-1 victory against the New York Rangers on Sunday. He is expected to miss approximately six months as he recovers from surgery for a torn labrum. It is very unfortunate news as the 29-year-old was enjoying a nice start to the season as he had two goals and three points off 10 shots in six games played for the Blue Jackets.

van Riemsdyk suffered a hand injury in the first period of Sunday's loss to the Sharks, and it will require surgery. The Flyers did not release a timetable for van Riemsdyk's return. Expect Owen Tippett (upper-body) to replace him in the lineup on Thursday.

It will be a second straight start for Tarasov after he got his first career win in a 30-save (.968 SV%) 5-1 victory over the New York Rangers last time out. He brings his .912 SV% and high 3.33 GAA into his fourth start of the season. The Blue Jackets draw the easier task of the 1-4-0 Arizona Coyotes, who rank last in the NHL in SOG (24.0) and 28th in GF/GP (2.6).

It will be a second straight start for Tarasov after he got his first career win in a 30-save (.968 SV%) 5-1 victory over the New York Rangers last time out. He brings his .912 SV% and high 3.33 GAA into his fourth start of the season. The Blue Jackets draw the easier task of the 1-4-0 Arizona Coyotes who rank last in the NHL in SOG (24.0) and 28th in GF/GP (2.6).

Danforth suffered the upper-body injury in Columbus' 6-3 loss over Pittsburgh Saturday. He was not in the lineup for their 5-1 victory against the New York Rangers on Sunday. The 29-year-old was enjoying a nice start to the season as he had two goals and three points off 10 shots in six games played for the Blue Jackets.

Elvis will draw his third start of the season after stopping 32 of 35 shots in an overtime win over the Vancouver Canucks Tuesday. After missing Columbus' first two games due to injury, he has struggled in his two starts going 1-0-1 with a 3.90 GAA and .867 SV%. He faces the struggling Predators who have dropped their last three contest.

Elvis Merzlikins will draw his second start of the season as the winless Columbus Blue Jackets host the Vancouver Canucks in the battle of zero-win teams. After missing the first two games of 2022-23 due to illness, Merzlikins was shelled in his return to action allowing five goals on 25 shots in a 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues. He will hope to right the ship and get Columbus into the win column for the first time in four games.

Merzlikins will get his first start of 2022-23 after missing Columbus’ opening two matchups due to illness. The 28-year-old had his worst of his three seasons in 2021-22, posting a .907 SV% alongside his high 3.22 GAA. He will look to bounce back this season as the Blue Jackets take on St. Louis on the road Saturday.

Tarasov will man the Blue Jackets' crease for the second straight night as Elvis Merzlinkins recovers from an illness. Tarasov played well in his season debut, stopping 39 of 43 Caroline Hurricane shots on way to an eventual 4-1 loss. The 23-year-old netminder will be looking for his first career victory as he takes the crease for his fifth career start against the Lightning Friday.

Tarasov will man the Blue Jackets' crease for the second straight night as Elvis Merzlinkins recovers from an illness. Tarasov played well in his season debut, stopping 39 of 43 Caroline Hurricane shots on way to an eventual 4-1 loss. The 23-year-old netminder will be looking for his first career victory as he takes the crease for his fifth career start against the Lightning Friday.

With Elvis Merzlikins out, the Blue Jackets sent Johnson to the AHL to make room to call-up Jet Greaves to serve as the backup in Carolina.