Gaunce is no stranger to the NHL, with 189 career games, but has yet to suit up for the Blue Jackets this season. The 31-year-old forward has six points (4G / 2A) with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) this season. Luca Del Bel Belluz has been loaned to Cleveland in a corresponding move.
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).
Yegor Chinakhov will draw back into the Islanders lineup on Thursday, sending Aston-Reese to the sidelines as a healthy scratch against his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 31-year-old Aston-Reese is averaging 10:20 time-on-ice, recording three assists and 34 hits in 13 games this season.
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.
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.
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. Garland already missed several games this season due to an injury, but it's unclear if it is related to his current ailment. Kiefer Sherwood is expected to take Garland's spot on the top line.
Merzlikins has been under the weather and will return to the crease for the first time in 10 days, tending the twine on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 31-year-old Merzlikins has been serviceable this season, posting a 3.14 GAA and .908 SV% in seven games (4-3-0). Merzlikins has recorded a sub-.900 SV% in three straight seasons prior to this one.
For the fifth straight game, the front end of a back-to-back, the Blue Jackets will again turn to Greaves between the pipes. Greaves was excellent in his most recent game, saving 31 of 32 shots (.969 SV%), but fell short in a 2-1 shootout loss to the New York Rangers. The 24-year-old netminder has a 2.79 GAA and .904 SV% in 11 games this season (5-4-2). The Blue Jackets enter Monday's contest as -125 home favorites against a struggling Canadiens team riding a three-game losing skid (0-3-0).
Johnson was a late scratch in the Blue Jackets' previous game due to an illness, but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 23-year-old Johnson had a breakout 2024-25 season, with 57 points (24G / 33A) in 68 games, but is off to a slow start in 2025-26, with only five points (2G / 3A) through 15 contests.
Greaves just finished playing both ends of a back-to-back and will return to the crease on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 24-year-old Greaves was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%) in a 2-1 shootout win over the Seattle Kraken. He has a 2.89 GAA and .901 SV% in nine games this season (4-4-1). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as slight -110 home favorites against an Oilers team that narrowly defeated the Philadelphia Flyers 2-1 in overtime last night.
Jenner was limited to only 7:21 time-on-ice in the Blue Jackets' most recent game, exiting in the second period due to an upper-body injury. The 32-year-old has battled injuries over the past few years. He has 10 points (3G / 7A) in 16 games this season.
Wood will return to the lineup after missing Monday's game with an illness. Zach Aston-Reese will sit in his place.
Aston-Reese will fall right back out of the lineup after drawing in on Monday. Miles Wood (illness) returns to the lineup in his place.
Johnson appears to be the latest Blue Jacket to fall victim to the illness circulating their dressing room. He took warmups on Tuesday but did not participate in line rushes. Cole Sillinger (illness) will return to the lineup in his place.
Sillinger will return to the lineup after missing Monday's game with an illness. He will slot in for Kent Johnson, who is now expected to be out with an illness.
Elvis Merzlikins was the expected starter on Tuesday, but instead it will be Greaves who gets the nod in both ends of the Blue Jackets' back-to-back. Given the fact that Greaves was tagged for five goals on 24 shots in last night's overtime loss to the Oilers, it's likely that Merzlikins fell victim to the illness floating around the Blue Jackets locker room. Greaves and the Blue Jackets enter action in Seattle on Tuesday at +105 on the money line.
