Columbus Blue Jackets News

The Blue Jackets have had an up-and-down start to the season with a 4-4-0 record, but have benefited from some solid goaltending in the process. The 24-year-old Greaves has been unable to replicate the elite 1.91 GAA and .938 SV% he had in 11 games with the Blue Jackets last season (7-2-2), but has remained serviceable when called upon, posting a 2.79 GAA and .903 SV% in four games (1-3-0). The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as +107 road underdogs against a Sabres team that is clicking offensively, outscoring their opposition 25-17 in their last six games (4-1-1).

Gudbranson has been sidelined for two weeks due to a lower-body injury but will return to the lineup on Friday against the Washington Capitals. The 33-year-old Gudbranson is in his 15th NHL season, his fourth with the Blue Jackets, and was set to be a lineup-regular this season after being limited to only 16 games in 2024-25 because of a shoulder injury.

The Blue Jackets won their previous game, 5-1 over the Dallas Stars, aided by a strong performance from Elvis Merzlikins, but they will continue their goalie rotation, turning to Greaves on Friday against the Washington Capitals. The 24-year-old Greaves has been excellent early in the 2025-26 season despite a losing 1-2-0 record, posting a stellar 2.04 GAA and .928 SV%. The Blue Jackets enter Friday's contest as slight +102 home underdogs against a Capitals team that has outscored its opponents 21-13 through seven games (5-2-0).

The Red Wings' five-game winning streak snapped last night in a 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres in the front end of a back-to-back. They will switch to Talbot between the pipes on Thursday against the New York Islanders. The 38-year-old Talbot has been sensational early in the 2025-26 season, posting a 1.78 GAA and .932 SV% in four appearances (3-0-0). The Red Wings enter Thursday's contest as +115 road underdogs against an Islanders team riding a three-game winning streak.

With Darcy Kuemper's return from a lower-body injury, the Kings placed Copley on waivers on Wednesday. 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). He will report back to Ontario after clearing waivers on Thursday.

The Red Wings' five-game winning streak snapped last night in a 4-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres in the front end of a back-to-back. They will switch to Talbot between the pipes on Thursday against the New York Islanders. The 38-year-old Talbot has been sensational early in the 2025-26 season, posting a 1.78 GAA and .932 SV% in four appearances (3-0-0). The Red Wings enter Thursday's contest as +115 road underdogs against an Islanders team riding a three-game winning streak.

The Blue Jackets have had an up-and-down start to the 2025-26 season, showcasing a 2-3-0 record, and will turn to Merzlikins between the pipes on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars. Merzlikins has been adequate when called upon, posting a 3.54 GAA and .920 SV%. He has been splitting time in the Blue Jackets' crease with Jet Greaves and will likely continue to do so until one of them pulls away with momentum. The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as +168 road underdogs against a Stars team amid a two-game losing skid.

Greaves stopped 25 of 27 shots in Monday’s 3-2 loss to the Devils. Despite a strong start to the season (2.06 GAA, .932 SV%), he’s still searching for his first win (0-2-0). He’s expected to face a Lightning team playing the second half of a back-to-back, with Jonas Johansson likely starting on the other side. Columbus enters as -117 home favourites.

Greaves stopped 25 of 27 shots in Monday’s 3-2 loss to the Devils. Despite a strong start to the season (2.06 GAA, .932 SV%), he’s still searching for his first win (0-2-0). He’s expected to face a Lightning team playing the second half of a back-to-back, with Jonas Johansson likely starting on the other side. Columbus enters as -117 home favourites.

The Blue Jackets have alternated goalies through the first three games of the regular season and will continue that trend in game four on Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche, awarding Merzlikins his second start of 2025-26. The 31-year-old Merzlikins played well in his only contest this season, despite allowing four goals, saving a whopping 48 of 52 shots (.923 SV%) in a 7-4 win over the Minnesota Wild. The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as +139 home underdogs against an Avalanche team that has outscored its opponents 13-8 through four games this season (3-0-1).

The Blue Jackets have alternated goalies through the first three games of the regular season and will continue that trend in game four on Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche, awarding Merzlikins his second start of 2025-26. The 31-year-old Merzlikins played well in his only contest this season, despite allowing four goals, saving a whopping 48 of 52 shots (.923 SV%) in a 7-4 win over the Minnesota Wild. The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as +139 home underdogs against an Avalanche team that has outscored its opponents 13-8 through four games this season (3-0-1).

The Kings lost Copley at the beginning of the month to the Tampa Bay Lightning after placing him on waivers. However, with Darcy Kuemper (undisclosed) considered day-to-day, the Kings were in need of another goalie and re-acquired Copley from Tampa Bay via trade for future considerations. Copley is no stranger to the NHL, with 77 games of experience. 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).

In Monday's game against the New Jersey Devils, an errant stick of defenseman Dougie Hamilton cut Wood's face. Wood left for repairs after only 1:17 time-on-ice and did not return. The 30-year-old Wood has one goal through three games this season.

After John Gibson's porous debut in Detroit's season-opening 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, Talbot has been awarded his third consecutive start on Wednesday against the Florida Panthers. The 38-year-old Talbot has been excellent in his limited action this season, posting a 2.11 GAA, a .925 SV%, and a perfect 2-0-0 record. Still, the Red Wings enter Wednesday's contest as +122 home underdogs against a Panthers team coming off their first loss of the 2025-26 season (3-1-0).

After John Gibson's porous debut in Detroit's season-opening 5-1 loss to the Montreal Canadiens, Talbot has been awarded his third consecutive start on Wednesday against the Florida Panthers. The 38-year-old Talbot has been excellent in his limited action this season, posting a 2.11 GAA, a .925 SV%, and a perfect 2-0-0 record. Still, the Red Wings enter Wednesday's contest as +122 home underdogs against a Panthers team coming off their first loss of the 2025-26 season (3-1-0).

An errant stick of New Jersey Devils' defenseman Dougie Hamilton cut Wood's face. Wood left for repairs after only 1:17 time-on-ice and did not return. The 30-year-old Wood has one goal through three games this season.

With Erik Gudbranson (upper body) sidelined indefinitely, Christiansen will draw into the Blue Jackets' lineup for his season debut on Monday against the New Jersey Devils. The 26-year-old Christiansen benefited from a Gudbranson injury last season, playing a career-high 68 games and scoring eight points (1G / 7A).

Gudbranson exited Saturday's game with an upper-body injury, did not practice on Sunday, and will be sidelined indefinitely, starting with Monday's contest against the New Jersey Devils. The 33-year-old Gudbranson is in his 15th NHL season, his fourth with the Blue Jackets, and was set to be a lineup-regular this season after being limited to only 16 games in 2024-25 because of a shoulder injury.