Johnson has been a regular in the Blue Jackets lineup lately but will not play on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken due to an illness. The 37-year-old Johnson is averaging 12:56 time-on-ice, recording two points (0G / 2A) in 27 games this season.
The Blue Jackets are riding a two-game winning streak and will roll with Merzlikins between the pipes for a fifth straight outing. Merzlikins allowed three goals on 23 shots (.870 SV%) in his most recent contest but was strong enough for a 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 30-year-old Merzlikins has a 3.17 GAA and .887 SV% in 27 games this season (14-10-3). He has not finished a season with a winning record since the 2021-22 campaign. The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as +109 home underdogs against a Seattle Kraken squad amid a three-game losing skid (0-2-1).
Shesterkin has been out of the lineup since December 30th, battling an upper-body injury, but will return to the crease on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 29-year-old Shesterkin struggled before his injury, allowing nine goals on 38 shots (.763 SV%) in his last two games (0-2-0). He has a 3.10 GAA and .906 SV% in 27 games this season (11-15-1). He has never finished a season with a GAA above 2.62. The Rangers enter Thursday's contest as +135 home underdogs against a Devils squad that snapped a four-game losing skid in their previous outing.
Malkin did not play the Penguins previous game, a late scratch due to an upper-body injury, but could return to the lineup on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers. Malkin is averaging 18:35 time-on-ice, recording 71 shots and 32 points (8G / 24A) in 41 games this season.
The Penguins have lost four straight (0-1-3) and will turn to Nedeljkovic between the pipes on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers. Nedeljkovic struggled in his previous outing, allowing four goals on 31 shots (.871 SV%) in a 4-3 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. He has a 3.22 GAA and .888 SV% in 17 appearances this season (6-6-4). The Penguins enter Thursday's contest as +183 home underdogs against an Oilers club outscoring their opposition 15-5 during a four-game winning streak.
With Linus Ullmark still sidelined, the Senators' crease remains under the control of Forsberg. Forsberg played well in his previous outing but came up short in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings when he allowed three goals on 33 shots (.909 SV%). The 32-year-old Forsberg has a 3.03 GAA and .888 SV% in 13 appearances this season (4-7-1). The Senators enter Thursday's contest as -160 home favorites against a Buffalo Sabres club coming off a 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals.
With Sean Monahan (wrist) sidelined, the Blue Jackets have recalled Del Bel Belluz from the Cleveland Monsters (AHL). The 21-year-old Del Bel Belluz made his NHL debut last season, scoring one goal in one game. He leads the AHL with 37 points (17G / 20A) in 34 games this season.
Ersson has been out since suffering a lower-body injury on New Year's Eve but will return to the crease on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. The 25-year-old Ersson has a 3.02 GAA and .884 SV% in 19 appearances (9-6-2) but has been better lately, saving 47 of the last 48 shots in his previous two outings (2-0-0). The Flyers enter Thursday's contest as +140 home underdogs against a Stars squad riding a five-game winning streak.
With Sean Monahan (wrist) sidelined, the Blue Jackets have recalled Sillinger from the Cleveland Monsters (AHL). The 27-year-old Sillinger has yet to play an NHL game. He has 25 points (8G / 17A) in 34 AHL games with Cleveland this season.
It's unclear when Monahan suffered his wrist injury in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he did not appear in the third period, finishing the game with only 12:26 time-on-ice. The team is waiting for results from a bone scan to have a more concrete timeline for his return. Monahan, in his age-30 season, was producing at a point-per-game pace for only the second time in his career, with 41 points (14G / 27A) in 41 games.
Ekblad exited Friday's 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins late in the third period and has not practiced since, but will return to the lineup on Wedndesday. The 28-year-old Ekblad is averaging 23:31 time-on-ice, his highest total in four seasons, recording 20 points (2G / 18A), 54 blocks, and 59 hits in 40 games this season.
Mikkola has not played since suffering an undisclosed injury on December 23rd, missing five straight games, but will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Utah Hockey Club. The 28-year-old Mikkola has 14 points (4G / 10A) in 36 games this season.
Forbort is battling an undisclosed ailment and was a game-time decision for Wednesday's contest against the Washington Capitals. The 32-year-old Forbort is averaging 18:08, recording three points (0G / 3A), 16 blocks, and 11 hits in 13 games this season.
Pettersson has not played since December 23rd but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup as he was a game-time decision Wednesday. The 26-year-old Pettersson has had an off season after back-to-back point-per-game campaigns, scoring 28 points (10G / 18A) through 34 contests this season.
With Sean Monahan (wrist) sidelined, the Blue Jackets have recalled Del Bel Belluz from the Cleveland Monsters (AHL). The 21-year-old Del Bel Belluz made his NHL debut last season, scoring one goal in one game. He leads the AHL with 37 points (17G / 20A) in 34 games this season.
It's unclear when Monahan suffered his wrist injury in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he did not appear in the third period, finishing the game with only 12:26 time-on-ice. The team is waiting for results from a bone scan to have a more concrete timeline for his return. Monahan, in his age-30 season, was producing at a point-per-game pace for only the second time in his career, with 41 points (14G / 27A) in 41 games.
Kovalenko played 11:43 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights but was not able to practice on Wednesday due to an undisclosed ailment. The 25-year-old Kovalenko has 14 points (5G / 9A) in 40 games this season. The Sharks return to action on Friday against the Utah Hockey Club.
Ceci played 19:19 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights but was not able to practice on Wednesday due to an undisclosed ailment. The 31-year-old Ceci has 11 points (3G / 8A), 76 blocks, and 45 hits in 43 games this season. The Sharks return to action on Friday against the Utah Hockey Club.
Zetterlund played 20:46 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 4-2 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights, recording an assist, but is battling a lower-body injury. The 25-year-old Zetterlund has 27 points (11G / 16A) in 43 games this season. The Sharks return to action on Friday against the Utah Hockey Club.
Moments after being named to the AHL All-Star game, the Ducks recalled Colangelo from the San Diego Gulls (AHL). The 23-year-old forward was the 36th overall pick of the Ducks in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He went scoreless in eight games with the Ducks earlier this season but has been productive after the AHL level, scoring 22 points (13G / 9A) in 24 contests.
