Columbus Blue Jackets News

Merzlikins has not played in over a week but has seen more action lately, after playing only three times in the previous month. The 31-year-old Merzlikins has played better since Rick Bowness took over as the Blue Jackets' new Head Coach, saving 64 of 70 shots (.914 SV%) in three games (2-1-0), but consistency has been a significant issue for the Latvian goalie. The Blue Jackets enter Wednesday's contest as -135 home favorites against a Philadelphia Flyers team that is coming off a 4-0 loss to the New York Islanders.

Mateychuk has been sidelined for over two weeks because of an upper-body injury, but he will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 21-year-old defenseman is having an excellent season, playing predominantly alongside Zach Werenski, averaging 20:20 time-on-ice and scoring 21 points (8G / 13A) through 44 games.

Mateychuk has been sidelined for over two weeks because of an upper-body injury, but he will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 21-year-old defenseman is having an excellent season, playing predominantly alongside Zach Werenski, averaging 20:20 time-on-ice and scoring 21 points (8G / 13A) through 44 games.

With Dento Mateychuk (upper body) returning from a two-week absence, Christiansen will exit the lineup as a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Christiansen is averaging 10:17 time-on-ice and has two assists in 31 games this season.

Mateychuk has been sidelined for over two weeks because of an upper-body injury, but he will return to the lineup on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 21-year-old defenseman is having an excellent season, playing predominantly alongside Zach Werenski, averaging 20:20 time-on-ice and scoring 21 points (8G / 13A) through 44 games.

Jet Greaves started two consecutive games for Columbus, but the team will revert to Merzlikins on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 31-year-old Merzlikins has played better since Rick Bowness took over as the Blue Jackets' new Head Coach, saving 64 of 70 shots (.914 SV%) in three games (2-1-0), but consistency has been a major issue for the Latvian goalie. The Blue Jackets enter Monday's contest with even -105 odds at home against a Kings team with points in five straight games (2-0-3).

Lomberg has appeared in 47 of 51 games this season, but will be replaced by Justin Kirkland in the lineup on Sunday. Lomberg isn't known for his offence, but he's been goalless with three assists in his last 13 games.

John Gibson was between the pipes for Wednesday's win over the Maple Leafs, so it will be Talbot's turn when the Red Wings play their second game in as many nights on Thursday. Talbot was unfortunate to be tagged with the loss in his last start, losing 3-0 in Boston back on January 13th despite allowing just two goals on 40 shots. The 38-year-old netminder has largely taken a back seat to Gibson of late thanks to the latter's incredible form, but Talbot does still own a respectable 11-7-3 record on the season. Talbot and the Wings enter action on Thursday at +135 on the money line.

Greaves had a heavy workload before Rick Bowness took over as the Blue Jackets' Head Coach and seemingly took a liking to Elvis Merzlikins, but he will return to the crease on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. Despite the lack of action lately, the 24-year-old Greaves has been solid the past few weeks, posting a 2.54 GAA and .915 SV% in his last 11 games (6-4-1). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's game as +106 home underdogs against a Dallas Stars team coming off a 6-2 win over the Boston Bruins.

Greaves had a heavy workload before Rick Bowness took over as the Blue Jackets' Head Coach and seemingly took a liking to Elvis Merzlikins, but he will return to the crease on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. Despite the lack of action lately, the 24-year-old Greaves has been solid the past few weeks, posting a 2.54 GAA and .915 SV% in his last 11 games (6-4-1). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's game as +106 home underdogs against a Dallas Stars team coming off a 6-2 win over the Boston Bruins.

With Luke Hughes (shoulder) on LTIR, the Devils have recalled White from Utica (AHL). The 28-year-old White played 23 games with the Devils earlier this season, tallying four assists.

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.