Merzlikins has seen an increased workload since Rick Bowness took over as the Blue Jackets' head coach, seemingly regaining the trust of the coaching staff, but he was absent from practice on Wednesday because of an illness. The 31-year-old Latvian goalie has a 2.04 GAA and .914 SV% in three games since the coaching chance (2-1-0). It's unclear if Merzlikins will be ready with Columbus returns to action on Thursday against the Dallas Stars.
Lundestrom has not played in over four week because of a lower-body injury, but should return to the lineup on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. He has five points (1G / 4A) in 35 games this season.
Nichushkin wanted to play on Monday after being involved in a minor car accident, but the team went on the side of caution and made him a late scratch. He should return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 30-year-old Nichushkin recorded an assist in his most recent game, snapping a six-game scoreless skid. He has 27 points (11G / 16A) in 38 games this season.
Lundestrom has not played in over four week because of a lower-body injury, but appears to be nearing an imminent return after being activated from Injured Reserve. He has five points (1G / 4A) in 35 games this season.
Nichushkin wanted to play on Monday after being involved in a minor car accident, but the team went on the side of caution and made him a late scratch. He should return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Anaheim Ducks. The 30-year-old Nichushkin recorded an assist in his most recent game, snapping a six-game scoreless skid. He has 27 points (11G / 16A) in 38 games this season.
Before Rick Bowness assumed head coaching duties in Columbus, Merzlikins had been an afterthought between the pipes, starting only three games in over a month. The 31-year-old Latvian goalie seems to have, at least temporarily, gained the trust of the new coaching staff, as he is poised to start for a third straight game. He has won two straight and saved 59 of 63 shots (.937 SV%) in the process.
Nichushkin was an unexpected late scratch before Monday's game against the Washington Capitals because of the upper-body injury. Nichushkin was involved in a small "fender bender" but reportedly did not suffer any major injuries. The 30-year-old Nichushkin recorded an assist in his most recent game, snapping a six-game scoreless skid. He has 27 points (11G / 16A) in 38 games this season.
Nichushkin was an unexpected late scratch before Monday's game against the Washington Capitals because of an upper-body injury. The 30-year-old Nichushkin recorded an assist in his most recent game, snapping a six-game scoreless skid. He has 27 points (11G / 16A) in 38 games this season.
Fabbro exited Saturday's 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first period because of a lower-body injury. The 27-year-old Fabbro has seven points (3G / 4A) in 48 games and will miss approximately a week.
Before Rick Bowness assumed head coaching duties in Columbus, Merzlikins had been an afterthought between the pipes, starting only three games in over a month. The 31-year-old Latvian goalie seems to have, at least temporarily, gained the trust of the new coaching staff, as he is poised to start for a third straight game. He has won two straight and saved 59 of 63 shots (.937 SV%) in the process.
Pyyhtia made his season debut earlier this month and scored one goal in five games for the Blue Jackets. The 24-year-old Pyyhtia will return to the AHL, where he has 22 points (7G / 15A) in 23 games with Cleveland this season.
Severson has been battling an illness, but he will return from a one-game absence on Thursday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 31-year-old Severson is averaging 19:58 time-on-ice and has 17 points (3G / 14A) in 45 games this season.
Gudbranson has been plagued with injuries this season, missing two weeks in early October with a lower-body injury, returning for a game, suffering a hip injury, and has been sidelined for nearly three months. The 33-year-old Gudbranson is in his 15th NHL season, his fourth with the Blue Jackets, and was set to be a lineup-regular this season after being limited to only 16 games in 2024-25 because of a shoulder injury.
Merzlikins has only played two games in the last five weeks, but he will get a chance to showcase his abilities in Rick Bowness' second game as the Head Coach of the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 31-year-old Merzlikins started the season in a timeshare with Jet Greaves, but quickly lost the trust of the coaching staff, allowing three or more goals in his last 12 games (4-7-1) while posting a dreadful 4.24 GAA and .861 SV%. The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as -159 home favorites against a plummeting Vancouver Canucks team that is on an eight-game losing streak (0-6-2).
Gudbranson has been plagued with injuries this season, missing two weeks in early October with a lower-body injury, returning for a game, suffering a hip injury, and has been sidelined for nearly three months. The 33-year-old Gudbranson is in his 15th NHL season, his fourth with the Blue Jackets, and was set to be a lineup-regular this season after being limited to only 16 games in 2024-25 because of a shoulder injury.
