Gaudreau was a surprise scratch on Thursday, with the Blue Jackets not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Columbus' 9.75 million-dollar-man has just 11 goals on the season, but has managed to rack up 45 assists in 75 games.
Jiricek has split time this season between the Blue Jackets and the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) but has not played an NHL game in a few months. The Czech defender has nine points (1G / 8A) in 36 games with the Blue Jackets this season.
The Blue Jackets will turn to Tarasov in the crease for the second straight game on Tuesday against the New York Islanders. Tarasov was outstanding in his last outing, saving 45 of 46 shots (.978 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the typically high-scoring Colorado Avalanche. The Blue Jackets are riding a two-game winning streak and enter action as +158 road underdogs.
Fix-Wolansky has become an elite offensive contributor at the AHL level but has not been able to translate that into NHL success. The 24-year-old has 58 points (24G / 34A) in 54 games with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) this season but only has four points (2G / 2A) in 24 career NHL games.
Jiricek was sent down to Cleveland (AHL) earlier in the week but has been recalled on an emergency basis on Tuesday ahead of Columbus' game Thursday vs. the Islanders. The 20-year-old budding superstar has appeared in 36 games for the Blue Jackets this season and has a goal, nine points, 20 PIMs and a -1 plus/minus.
Christiansen has spent the last nine games with the Blue Jackets but has been loaned to the Cleveland Monsters (AHL), where he has spent most of the season. The 24-year-old Christiansen has 40 points (13G / 27A) in 54 games with Cleveland.
The Blue Jackets have alternated goalies the last several weeks, a trend that will continue on Monday as Elvis Merzlikins has been ruled out of the lineup due to a lower-body injury. Tarasov has lost three straight, allowing three or more goals in each but played well in his last outing, saving 33 of 36 shots (.917 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Blue Jackets enter action on Monday as significant +276 home underdogs against the Colorado Avalanche.
The Blue Jackets have alternated goalies the last several weeks, a trend that will likely continue on Monday as Elvis Merzlikins has been ruled out of the lineup due to a lower-body injury. Tarasov has lost three straight, allowing three or more goals in each but played well in his last outing, saving 33 of 36 shots (.917 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Blue Jackets enter action on Monday as significant +276 home underdogs against the Colorado Avalanche.
Danforth has missed the Blue Jackets' previous 11 games due to a concussion but returned to practice on Saturday and will likely return to the lineup on Monday. The 31-year-old is having his best NHL season to date, with 10 goals, 21 points, 22 PIMs and a -13 plus/minus through 63 games played before the injury.
Merzlikins and Daniil Tarasov have been alternating starts lately, and with Merzlikins battling a lower-body injury, the trend will likely continue on Monday. On Saturday, Merzlikins recorded his first win in nearly a month, saving 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) in a 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Jenner did not play on Saturday due to an illness and will also miss Monday's game against the Colorado Avalanche. Jenner was playing well before exiting the lineup, recording six points (3G / 3A) in his last eight games.
Danforth has missed the Blue Jackets' previous 10 games due to a concussion but returned to practice on Saturday and is now considered day-to-day. The 31-year-old is having his best NHL season to date, with 10 goals, 21 points, 22 PIMs and a -13 plus/minus through 63 games played before the injury.
Nylander has missed the last two games after taking an elbow to the head from Keegan Kolesar last Saturday. Nylander has been excellent since being acquired by Columbus, picking up eight goals and three assists (11 points) in 15 games.
