This is the second time that the Blue Jackets have done this. They want Merzlikins to get some playing time and with Joonas Korpisalo playing well, he's not going to get that in Columbus right now. Merzlikins allowed one goal on 29 shots in a losing effort in his only AHL game.
The Flyers did not disclose what kind of injury that Provorov is dealing with, but he will take part in warmups and remains a game-time decision. Monitor his status as the 1:00 pm puck-drop draws near.
Olivier, who has seven points (2G / 5A) and 37 PIMS in 17 AHL games, was recalled on Monday and is expected to replace Kyle Turris in the lineup on Tuesday. Olivier is a 6-foot-1, 222 lbs. winger that will skate on the fourth line with Colton Sissons and Auston Watson.
Olivier has scored two goals with five assists in 17 games with Milwaukee this season. The undrafted free agent could make his NHL debut vs. the Jets on Tuesday.
Merzlikins went down to get some playing time with Cleveland but was called back up quicker than originally planned. Joonas Korpisalo struggled last week, so Merzlikins returns after one game and will start Tuesday.
Merzlikins was sent to Cleveland (AHL) late last week to get some playing time but returned quicker than originally planned because Joonas Korpisalo struggled in Colorado on Saturday. Merzlikins hasn't been great this year either, going 0-1-2 with a. 3.90 GAA and .882 SV%. The Canadiens are 5-3-0 with 3.50 goals per game in eight games in Montreal.
Gambrell missed the last three games with a hand injury but was on the ice for today's morning skate and will be a game-time decision vs. the Wild. Gambrell has one goal and three assists in 12 games this season.
Luoto came over from Finland this year and the 22-year-old has registered three assists in nine games with the Moose. Luoto will replace Bryan Little (head) on the roster and could make his NHL debut on Thursday.
With Columbus heading out on a three-game road trip that does not have a back-to-back, Merzlikins heads to Cleveland just to get some playing time. The 25-year-old is 0-1-2 with the Blue Jackets so far this season and will get some AHL starts before likely returning to the NHL next week. Matiss Kivlenieks comes up to take his spot as the backup goalie.
Gambrell suffered an upper-body injury in Boston on Tuesday and will not play in the Sharks' Friday/Saturday back-to-back. Gambrell, who has four points (1G / 3A) in 12 games, will be replaced by Jonny Brodzinski on Friday.
Merzlikins stopped all 19 shots that he faced after replacing Joonas Korpisalo in the Blue Jackets loss to the Oilers on Wednesday. Tonight will be Merzlikins' first start since October 18th and he comes in having allowed a combined 10 goals on 92 shots (.891 SV%) in three appearances this season. Even without Vladimir Tarasenko, the Blues present a difficult road test--there are better options than Merzlikins tonight.
Kukan has been a healthy scratch for the last five games but will replace Ryan Murray (undisclosed) vs. the Islanders on Saturday. Kukan has just nine assists in 45 career NHL games.
Kukan had two shots in 15:16 TOI in his season debut on Saturday but will sit as a healthy scratch for the second time in three games. Markus Nutivaara will replace him on the third pairing.
With Joonas Korpisalo starting the season opener vs. Toronto, it sets Merzlikins up for a date with the Pittsburgh Penguins in his NHL debut. The Blue Jackets have high hopes for the 2014 third-round pick, who turned in a .921 SV% in two straight seasons while playing with Lugano of the Swiss-A League. He will have spot-start value this season, but this is a tough spot for him.
Provorov and the Flyers wrap-up their RFA stalemate with a six-year extension that makes him the highest-paid defenseman on the team (per PuckPedia). After a breakout 2018 campaign, Provorov had a disappointing 26 points (7G / 19A) in 82 games last year. He has not missed a game in three years and is poised to lead the Flyers in ice-time again in 2020.
