Luca Pinelli will make his NHL debut on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, sending Christiansen to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Christiansen is averaging 10:31 time-on-ice and has one assist in 19 games this season.
Pinelli was a fourth-round pick, 114th overall, by the Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old forward has yet to play an NHL game and has 10 points (5G / 5A) in 13 games with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) this season. Jake Christiansen will exit the lineup to accommodate Pinelli's debut.
Greaves has become the more-relied-upon option between the pipes for the Blue Jackets this season, and he will return to the crease on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 24-year-old goalie was excellent against the Maple Leafs in a 3-2 overtime win last week, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%). He has a 2.80 GAA and .904 SV% in 14 games this season (7-4-3). The Blue Jackets enter Wednesday's contest as -120 home favorites against a struggling Maple Leafs team that has lost seven of its last eight games (1-4-3).
Werenski did not play in the third period of Monday's 5-1 loss to the Washington Capitals, exiting the game after 17:36 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The 28-year-old Werenski played in all but one game last season, but has battled injury concerns in recent years. That said, the team seems to have avoided a serious injury and are in the clear with their star blueliner, who has 21 points (7G / 14A) in 23 games this season.
Pinelli was a fourth-round pick, 114th overall, by the Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old forward has yet to play an NHL game and has 10 points (5G / 5A) in 13 games with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) this season.
Werenski did not play in the third period of Monday's 5-1 loss to the Washington Capitals, exiting the game after 17:36 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The 28-year-old Werenski played in all but one game last season, but has battled injury concerns in recent years. That said, the team seems to have avoided a serious injury and are in the clear with their star blueliner, who has 21 points (7G / 14A) in 23 games this season.
Olivier only played six shifts in Monday's 5-1 loss to the Washington Capitals, exiting the game with an upper-body injury. The 28-year-old Olivier had 71 hits, 44 penalty minutes, and nine points (3G / 6A) in 23 games this season. The Blue Jackets should provide an update on Olivier before they return to action on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Werenski did not play in the third period of Monday's 5-1 loss to the Washington Capitals, exiting the game after 17:36 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The team has yet to provide an update on the status of their star blueliner, who has 21 points (7G / 14A) in 23 games this season. The 28-year-old Werenski played in all but one game last season, but has battled injury concerns in recent years.
Marchenko will be further evaluated after exiting the Blue Jackets' morning skate early on Monday with an upper-body injury and will not play in their game against the Washington Capitals. The 25-year-old Marchenko has been terrific this season and his offense will be sorely missed. He has 22 points (8G / 14A) and 65 shots in 22 games this season.
White has played four games with the Devils this season, breaking a two-season stretch without NHL action, and will return to the lineup on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 28-year-old defenseman sored 21 points (4G / 17A) in 61 games with the Utica Comets (AHL) last season.
Marchenko will be further evaluated after exiting the Blue Jackets' morning skate early on Monday and is questionable for their game against the Washington Capitals. The 25-year-old Marchenko has been terrific this season, and his offense will be sorely missed if he is not able to suit up. He has 22 points (8G / 14A) and 65 shots in 22 games this season.
Merzlikins has taken a backseat to Jet Greaves in recent weeks, but he will return to the crease on Monday against the Washington Capitals. The 31-year-old Merzlikins has lost three straight (0-3-0), allowing 12 goals on 93 combined shots (.871 SV%). He has a 3.37 GAA and .900 SV% in eight games (4-4-0) and has not had a sub-3.00 GAA since the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season. The Blue Jackets enter Monday's action as +142 road underdogs against a Capitals team that has scored 18 goals in its last three games (2-1-0).
Del Bel Belluz has been a lineup-regular for the Blue Jackets since being recalled two weeks ago, but will return to the AHL. The 22-year-old forward averaged 9:35 time-on-ice and scored one assist in seven games with Columbus. In a corresponding move, Columbus has recalled Brendan Gaunce from Cleveland (AHL).
Darcy Kuemper is not travelling with the Kings' for their Thursday night game in San Jose to receive some extra rest. The Kings have recalled Copley to serve as the backup to Anton Forsberg. The 33-year-old Copley spent the majority of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, tallying a 2.49 GAA and .904 SV% in 42 games with the Ontario Reign (24-17-1).
Greaves has had a heavy workload lately for the Blue Jackets, starting five of their last six games, and will return to the crease on Thursday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 24-year-old Greaves saved 29 of 32 shots (.906 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-3 shootout win over the Montreal Canadiens. He has a 2.79 GAA and .904 SV% in 12 games this season (6-4-2). The Blue Jackets enter the action on Thursday as -111 road favorites against a Maple Leafs team that has several key injuries and has lost five of their last six (1-4-1).
Garland suffered an undisclosed injury in the first period of Vancouver's 6-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday, exiting the game after only 4:21 time-on-ice. The 29-year-old Garland has 13 points (5G / 8A) in 17 games this season. He will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Dallas Stars after a one-game absence.
Nichushkin exited last Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks due to a lower-body injury after only 12:57 time-on-ice. The 30-year-old Nichushkin has 12 points (5G / 7A) in 17 games this season, and has been more productive lately, with nine points (3G / 6A) in his last 10 games. Nichushkin has played fewer than 55 games in each of the previous four seasons due to injuries and could be headed down that same path in 2025-26, as he is out week-to-week.
Belluz was drafted 44th-overall by the Blue Jackets in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft and was a healthy scratch in the Blue Jackets' most recent contest after playing in five straight. The 21-year-old forward was productive in a brief 15-game stint with the Blue Jackets last season, scoring eight points (2G / 6A). Yegor Chinakhov will serve as a healthy scratch.
