Joel Kiviranta will be a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Los Angeles Kings, allowing Wood to re-enter the lineup. The 29-year-old Wood is averaging 11:17 time-on-ice and has four points (2G / 2A) in 30 games this season.
MacDonald is a 22-year-old undrafted free agent out of the University of North Dakota. The 6-foot-3, 224 lbs. left-shot blueliner finished his second NCAA season with three goals and seven assists (10 points) in 46 games. MacDonald’s contract will begin in 2025-26.
Elick was a second-round pick, 36th overall, of the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old defenseman has spent the past four seasons in the WHL. He has eight points (2G / 6A) in 33 games with the Tri-City Americans (WHL) this season.
Christiansen has not played since March 13th but appears to be nearing an immediate return to the lineup. The 25-year-old defenseman is averaging 12:43 time-on-ice and has eight points (1G / 7A) in 65 games this season.
Sillinger has not played since February 27th but appears to be nearing an immediate return to the lineup. The 21-year-old forward was averaging 17:18 time-on-ice and scored 29 points (9G / 20A) in 54 games before his injury.
Williams is an undrafted forward that has spent the previous three seasons playing collegiate hockey for Northeastern University (H-East). The 23-year-old Williams scored 41 points (16G / 25A) in 37 games with Northeastern this season.
Wood has only played one game in the last two weeks and will return to the sidelines as a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 29-year-old Wood is averaging 11:17 time-on-ice, recording 40 hits, 48 penalty minutes, and four points (2G / 2A) in 30 games this season.
Monahan has not played since suffering a wrist injury in early January but will make his return to the lineup on Monday against the New York Islanders. The 30-year-old Monahan was producing at a point-per-game pace before his injury for only the second time in his career, with 41 points (14G / 27A) in 41 games. He is expected to play on the Blue Jackets' top line with Dmitri Voronkov and Kirill Marchenko.
The Blue Jackets, amid a six-game losing skid (0-5-1), are desperately trying to stay in contention for a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference and will turn to Merzlikins between the pipes on Monday against the New York Islanders. The 30-year-old Merzlikins struggled in his most recent outing, allowing five goals on 33 shots (.848 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. He has a 3.04 GAA and .896 SV% in 46 games this season (22-19-5). The Blue Jackets enter Monday's contest as +114 road underdogs against an Islanders team with points in five straight games (2-0-3).
With Daniil Tarasov (illness) unable to play, Columbus will roll with Merzlikins between the pipes on the tail end of their back-to-back. Merzlikins was excellent yesterday, saving 27 of 28 shots in a 1-0 overtime loss to the Florida Panthers. The 30-year-old Latvian goalie has a 3.00 GAA and .897 SV% in 45 games this season (22-18-5). The Blue Jackets enter Friday's contest as slight -102 road underdogs against a Pittsburgh Penguins team coming off a disappointing 4-2 loss to the New York Islanders.
Garland was a game-time decision on Thursday after missing Tuesday's game against the Jets with an undisclosed injury. The 29-year-old Garland is averaging 18:46 time-on-ice and has 41 points (17G / 24A) in 67 games this season. He had a career-high 52 points (19G / 33A) with the Canucks in the 2021-22 season.
The Blue Jackets have lost four straight (0-4-0) and will turn to Merzlikins between the pipes on Thursday as they desperately try to stay in contention for a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. The 30-year-old Merzlikins allowed three goals on 28 shots (.893 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-0 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. He has a 3.04 GAA and .896 SV% in 44 games this season (22-18-4). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as +165 home underdogs against a Florida Panthers team amid a two-game losing skid (0-2-0).
Monahan has not played since suffering a wrist injury in early January but appears to be nearing a return after being a full participant at practice on Wednesday. The 30-year-old Monahan was producing at a point-per-game pace before his injury for only the second time in his career, with 41 points (14G / 27A) in 41 games.
Garland did not practice on Monday due to an undisclosed ailment and his status for Tuesday's game against the Winnipeg Jets was up in the air. The 29-year-old Garland is averaging 18:46 time-on-ice and has 41 points (17G / 24A) in 67 games this season. He had a career-high 52 points (19G / 33A) with the Canucks in the 2021-22 season.
Garland did not practice on Monday due to an undisclosed ailment and his status for Tuesday's game against the Winnipeg Jets is up in the air. The 29-year-old Garland is averaging 18:46 time-on-ice and has 41 points (17G / 24A) in 67 games this season. He had a career-high 52 points (19G / 33A) with the Canucks in the 2021-22 season.
