NHL Hockey Player News

The Blue Jackets' new Head Coach Rick Bowness continues to show his trust in Elvis Merzlikins, who will return to the crease for the fifth time in eight games since the coaching change. The 31-year-old Latvian goalie has also played better with his uptick in deployment, posting a 2.63 GAA and .907 SV% in his last four outings (3-1-0). The Blue Jackets enter the action on Friday as -147 road favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks team on a four-game losing streak (0-2-2).

Egor Zamula will be a healthy scratch on Friday, allowing Christiansen to re-enter the lineup against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 26-year-old Christiansen is averaging 10:17 time-on-ice and has two assists in 31 games this season.

Halliday has not played since a tremendous outing on Sunday in a 7-1 win over the Vegas Golden Knights, scoring a career-high three points (2G / 1A) before exiting the game after just 7:39 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The 23-year-old Halliday has 10 points (3G / 7A) in 21 games and is hopeful to play on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils.

Despite losing four of his last five (1-3-1), Hellebuyck has played better lately, posting a 2.40 GAA and .913 SV%. That said, he has not played up to the elite form that has become expected of the three-time Vezina Trophy winner, allowing three or more goals in nine of his last 12 games (4-5-3) while posting a subpar 3.09 GAA and .895 SV%. He will likely return to the crease on Saturday against a Florida Panthers team that he saved 19 of 20 shots (.950 SV%) against in a 2-1 shootout loss two weeks ago.

Glass was limited to 6:44 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, exiting the game in the second period because of an undisclosed injury. He did not play on Thursday but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup. The 26-year-old forward has 18 points (13G / 5A) in 42 games this season.

The Blue Jackets' new Head Coach Rick Bowness continues to show his trust in Elvis Merzlikins, who will return to the crease for the fifth time in eight games since the coaching change. The 31-year-old Latvian goalie has also played better with his uptick in deployment, posting a 2.63 GAA and .907 SV% in his last four outings (3-1-0). The Blue Jackets enter the action on Friday as -147 road favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks team on a four-game losing streak (0-2-2).

Foligno suffered an undisclosed injury early in the first period of Thursday's 6-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, and his status for Friday's game against the Columbus Blue Jackets is uncertain. The 38-year-old Foligno is averaging 12:55 time-on-ice and has 10 points (2G / 8A) in 32 games this season.

Luff played five games with the Blues earlier this season, scoring one goal, but has spent most of the 2025-26 campaign in the AHL. The 28-year-old forward has 33 points (13G / 20A) in 33 games this season with the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL).

Coming off a 6-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday, the Blackhawks will hope for better fortunes on Friday when they turn to Knight to tend the twine against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 24-year-old Knight is having an excellent season in Chicago, but has allowed three or more goals in his last three games (1-1-1) while allowing 10 goals on 78 combined shots (.872 SV%). The Blackhawks enter Friday's contest as +130 home underdogs against a surging Blue Jackets team that has won seven of its last eight games (7-1-0).

Simashev started the season in Utah, making his season debut and playing 24 games, but has since been in the AHL. The 20-year-old defenseman, the sixth-overall pick in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft, has 20 points (5G / 15A) in 20 games with the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL).

Toffoli suffered an undisclosed injury in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Edmonton Oilers and did not return. The 33-year-old Toffoli has 35 points (15G / 20A) in 52 games this season and it is unclear what his status is heading into Saturday's game against the Calgary Flames.

Marchand has only played four games since returning from an injury and has returned to the sidelines after exiting Thursday's 5-4 loss to the St. Louis Blues. The 37-year-old Marchand has been a key offensive contributor for the Panthers, scoring 50 points (25G / 25A) in 45 games. He is being evaluated, and it is unclear whether he will play in Saturday's game against the Winnipeg Jets or if this injury will affect his availability for the Winter Olympics.

Catton suffered an upper-body injury in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs and did not play the final two periods of the game. The 20-year-old rookie has 11 points (5G / 6A) in 40 games this season and it is unclear what his status will be on Saturday against the Vegas Golden Knights.

Lindgren seemingly suffered an injury toward the end of overtime, but stayed in the crease for the shootout, ultimately needing assistance leaving the ice after recording the victory. Already without Logan Thompson (upper body), who is day-to-day, it is unclear who will be tending the twine for the Capitals on Saturday against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Zacha exited Thursday's 6-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers in the second period because of an undisclosed injury and did not return. The 28-year-old Zacha scored a goal before leaving the game, giving him 11 points (5G / 6A) in his last 13 contests. The Bruins should provide an update before they return to action on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Hughes exited Thursday's 3-2 win over the Nashville Predators midway through the first period and did not return due to a lower-body injury. It's unclear if he will be able to play on Saturday against the Ottawa Senators. Still, Head Coach Sheldon Keefe stated that the injury does not seem serious, which is encouraging news for the oft-injured Hughes. Before Thursday's injury, Hughes was starting to get into an offensive rhythm, with 12 points (1G / 11A) in his last 10 games.