Severson was a surprise scratch on Monday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. Severson did take part in the team's morning skate and stayed on for extra work, which suggests he may be a healthy scratch. Denton Mateychuk will draw into the lineup and make his NHL debut in place of Severson.
Gaunce has played three straight but will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 30-year-old has spent most of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, scoring 14 points (8G / 6A) in 21 games with the Iowa Wild (AHL).
James Malatesta has been sent down to Cleveland (AHL) after making his season debut with Columbus. Malatesta was a fifth-round pick, 133rd overall, of the Blue Jackets in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He has 12 points (6G / 6A) in 25 games with Cleveland (AHL) this season. In a corresponding move, the Blue Jackets recalled Denton Mateychuk from Cleveland.
Mateychuk was the 12th overall pick of the Blue Jackets in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old defenseman has yet to play and NHL game. He has 25 points (9G / 16A) in 27 games with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) this season. In a corresponding move, the Blue Jackets have loaned James Malatesta to Cleveland.
Despite battling a lower-body injury, Werenski still played a whopping 27:32 time-on-ice in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. The 27-year-old Werenski has been incredible this season, pacing for career bests in all offensive categories, scoring 32 points (11G / 21A) and averaging a career-high 26:26 in 34 games.
Fabbro exited Tuesday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning early in the second period after a knee-on-knee collision with Conor Geekie and has not played since. The 26-year-old defenseman is averaging 19:19 time-on-ice and has seven points (3G / 4A) in 24 games this season.
The Blue Jackets will turn to Greaves for the fourth time in the last seven games on Monday when they host the Montreal Canadiens. The 23-year-old Greaves has not recorded a win yet this season but has been serviceable between the pipes, posting a 3.30 GAA and .896 SV% in three games (0-1-2). The Blue Jackets enter Monday's contest as -129 home favorites against a Canadiens club outscoring their opposition 15-5 during a three-game winning streak.
Jet Greaves started three of the last four games for the Blue Jackets, but he has been reassigned to Cleveland (AHL), opening the door for Merzlikins to return to the crease on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 30-year-old Merzlikins has allowed nine goals in his last two games (0-2-0), posting a .830 SV%, and has a 3.11 GAA and .887 SV% in 20 games this season (9-9-2). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as +191 home underdogs against a Devils squad outscoring their opposition 11-3 during a three-game winning streak.
Malatesta was a fifth-round pick, 133rd overall, of the Blue Jackets in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old made his NHL debut last season, scoring four points (2G / 2A) in 11 games with Columbus. He has 12 points (6G / 6A) in 25 games with Cleveland (AHL) this season.
Jet Greaves started three of the last four games for the Blue Jackets, but he has been reassigned to Cleveland (AHL), opening the door for Merzlikins to return to the crease on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. The 30-year-old Merzlikins has allowed nine goals in his last two games (0-2-0), posting a .830 SV%, and has a 3.11 GAA and .887 SV% in 20 games this season (9-9-2). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as +191 home underdogs against a Devils squad outscoring their opposition 11-3 during a three-game winning streak.
Gaunce has 177 games of NHL experience, scoring 28 career points (13G / 15A), but has primarily been an AHL played the past few seasons. The 30-year-old defenseman has 14 points (8G / 6A) in 21 games with the Iowa Wild (AHL) this season.
Fabbro exited Tuesday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning early in the second period after a knee-on-knee collision with Conor Geekie. There is no update on Fabbro's status but he was in clear discomfort while leaving the ice. The 26-year-old defenseman is averaging 19:19 time-on-ice and has seven points (3G / 4A) in 24 games this season.
Despite failing to record a victory, Greaves was serviceable for the Blue Jackets, posting a 3.30 GAA and .895 SV% while playing three of the last four games (0-1-2). The 23-year-old Greaves served as a backup with Columbus earlier this season but has predominantly been in the AHL, recording a 3.21 GAA and .902 SV% in 15 games with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL).
The Blue Jackets have lost four straight and will turn to Greaves between the pipes for the third time in the last four games. Despite losing his first two starts of the season last week (0-0-2), Greaves has been serviceable in net, posting a 2.90 GAA and .906 SV%. That said, the Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as sizeable +214 road underdogs against a Tampa Bay Lightning team outscoring their opposition 13-4 during a two-game winning streak.
Gaunce is yet to make his Wild debut after signing a two-way contract in the off-season. The 30-year-old forward has registered 13 goals and 15 assists in 177 career NHL games split between the Canucks, Bruins, and Blue Jackets.
