Blue Jackets’ Mason Marchment won’t miss time after sustaining lower-body injury
It appears that Mason Marchment’s lower-body injury isn’t as big of a concern as initially thought, as the Columbus Blue Jackets winger will not miss any time and is returning to the lineup for Saturday’s game against the Utah Mammoth.
#CBJ Mason Marchment said he’s good to go after suffering a lower-body injury in Thursday’s win over #TimetoHunt. Thought the lower-body injury was initially something significant, but feeling much better now. MRI negative. Ready to go tonight vs. #TusksUp
Marchment sustained an injury during the Blue Jackets’ 4-2 win over the Florida Panthers on Thursday. It was initially believed to be more severe, but after undergoing magnetic resonance imaging, the test came back negative, so he’s good to go for Saturday’s lineup.
Marchment has already missed a total of nine games this season due to a lower-body injury. It’s not confirmed if this lower-body injury was related to either of his previous ones.
Marchment began the season with the Seattle Kraken, but was dealt to the Blue Jackets ahead of the holiday break in exchange for a 2027 second- and 2026 fourth-round pick. He has 14 goals and 16 assists for 30 points in 48 games this season.
Per Rick Bowness: Elvis Merzlikins starts in net. Conor Garland makes his #CBJ debut. Zach Werenski & Mason Marchment are expected to play assuming no issues this afternoon.
In addition to Marchment, defenseman Zach Werenski is also returning to the lineup after missing the last three games with an illness, barring any setbacks. According to Werenski, he lost a lot of weight in what was the worst illness he’s ever had, but has gained most of it back in preparation for returning.
Werenski has had another excellent season which has put him in contention for a Norris Trophy, as he has 20 goals and 45 assists for 65 points in 54 games.
Newly acquired winger Conor Garland is also expected to make his Blue Jackets debut on Saturday. Columbus acquired Garland in the early hours of Friday in exchange for a 2028 second- and 2026 third-round pick.
Garland has had a down year offensively, as his seven goals and 19 assists for 26 points in 50 games this year is his worst scoring pace since his rookie season in 2018-19.
The Blue Jackets currently sit in fourth in the Metropolitan Division with a 32-21-8 record, and sit one point back of the Boston Bruins for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. Columbus will look to extend their three-game winning streak when they host the Mammoth on Saturday at 7 p.m. ET.