Merzlikins missed the last three games with a lower-body injury but will serve as Joonas Korpisalo's backup on Tuesday. This is a positive step for Merzlikins, who is likely in line to start Thursday in Carolina.
Johnson has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury but will play Monday vs. the Kraken. It's unclear who the veteran defenseman will replace but he enters the lineup with one goal and five assists (six points) in 27 games this season.
Werenski missed the last two games while in COVID-19 protocol but will play Saturday vs. the Devils. Werenski has played very well since the middle of November, tallying 14 points (4G / 10A) in his last 19 games.
Johnson is dealing with a minor lower-body injury, so he'll come out of the lineup on Thursday. Ryan Murray will replace him, returning from a lower-body injury of his own.
Sillinger is dealing with a minor lower-body injury that he is expected to play through on Thursday, but has officially been listed as a game-time decision. Monitor his status as the Blue Jackets hit the ice for warmups.
Christiansen was an undrafted free agent out of the WHL, who signed with the Blue Jackets in 2020. The 22-year-old defenseman has tallied five goals with 13 assists (18 points) in 21 AHL games this season.
Provorov has never missed a game in his NHL career but his ironman streak will come to an end on Tuesday. With Provorov and Nick Seeler both in COVID-19 protocol, Cam York will likely make his season debut on Tuesday.
Kukan has been sidelined since October 25th with a broken wrist but is set to play Tuesday vs. the Lightning. Kukan will replace Zach Werenski, who is in COVID-19 protocol.
Merzlikins missed Monday's practice with "lower-body discomfort" and is not expected to dress on Tuesday. The Blue Jackets recalled J-F Berube from Cleveland (AHL) to serve as Joonas Korpisalo's backup.
Werenski was not on the ice for Monday's practice and was placed on the COVID-19 protocol list on Tuesday. With Werenski out, Adam Boqvist moved up to the top pairing and is expected to be on the top power-play unit as well.
Danforth is expected to miss six weeks with an MCL sprain he suffered on Thursday. He will be replaced by Eric Robinson, who comes off of the COVID-19 protocol list.
Gillies and Tomas Tatar were added to the COVID-19 protocol list on Sunday while removing five players. Expect Gillies to be out until at least the middle of next week.
The Sharks placed Adin Hill in COVID-19 protocol on Monday, so Sawchenko has been recalled to serve as James Reimer's backup on Tuesday. Sawchenko has gone 3-6-0 with a 4.34 GAA and .859 SV% in nine AHL games this season.
The Blue Jackets are in Buffalo on Monday and they'll be without Jenner, Jack Roslovic and Gabriel Carlsson, who entered protocol on Sunday.
Chinakhov was not in the lineup for the last five games but will replace Gregory Hofmann in the lineup on Thursday. Hofmann had been skating on the top line, so Chinakhov, who has four points (1G / 3A) in 18 games, could play in the top-6.
