Merzlikins did not suit up on Thursday after exiting practice early and will miss at least one more game. The 30-year-old Merzlikins has a 3.18 GAA and .892 SV% in 53 games this season (26-21-5).
With Elvis Merzlikins (undisclosed) unavailable, the Blue Jackets will turn to Greaves for Thursday's game against the Sabres. Greaves has not appeared in an NHL game since March 17th, when he allowed two goals on 20 shots in a 2-1 loss to the Devils. The 23-year-old netminder has made 16 career starts across three seasons, posting a lowly 5-9-2 record despite an impressive .910 SV%. Greaves and the Blue Jackets enter action on Thursday at -140 on the money line.
Merzlikins was practicing in the starter's crease at the Blue Jackets' morning skate on Thursday, but has suffered an undisclosed injury and will not play against the Buffalo Sabres. The 30-year-old Merzlikins has a 3.18 GAA and .892 SV% in 53 games this season (26-21-5).
With Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek returning from prolonged absences due to injuries, Minnesota has reassigned Brendan Gaunce and Devin Shore to the Iowa Wild (AHL). The 31-year-old Gaunce averaged 9:42 time-on-ice and scored one point (0G / 1A) in 12 games with Minnesota this season.
Jack Johnson will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators, allowing Christiansen to re-enter the lineup. The 25-year-old Christiansen has only played one game since March 13th. He is averaging 12:41 time-on-ice and has eight points (1G / 7A) in 66 games this season.
Yegor Chinakhov will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators, allowing Aston-Reese to re-enter the lineup. The 30-year-old Aston-Reese is averaging 13:32 time-on-ice and has 16 points (5G / 11A) in 74 games this season.
The Blue Jackets have been outscored 16-3 in their last three games (0-3-0), effectively removing them from the race for a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. Still, they will remain hopeful with Merzlikins between the pipes on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators. Merzlikins played well in a relief appearance against the Senators on Sunday, saving 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%) in a 4-0 loss. The 30-year-old goalie has a 3.20 GAA and .891 SV% in 52 games this season (25-21-5). The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest +105 home underdogs against a Senators team outscoring their opposition 9-1 during a three-game winning streak.
With Jonathan Drouin (undisclosed) and Martin Necas (undisclosed) sidelined on Thursday, Jimmy Vesey and Miles Wood will draw into Colorado's lineup. The 29-year-old Wood is averaging 11:07 time-on-ice and has four points (2G / 2A) in 32 games this season.
Jack Johnson will draw back into the Blue Jackets' lineup on Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche, sending Severson to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 30-year-old Severson is averaging 19:03 time-on-ice and has 25 points (6G / 19A) in 70 games this season.
The Blue Jackets remain within reach of the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference and will turn to Merzlikins between the pipes on Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche. Merzlikins has struggled lately, allowing 13 goals on 98 shots in his last three games (.867 SV%), but has received adequate goal support, pulling off a 3-0-0 record despite his less-than-stellar statistics. He has a 3.11 GAA and .894 SV% in 49 games this season (25-19-5). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as +123 home favorites against an Avalanche team coming off a 3-2 shootout win over the Chicago Blackhawks last night.
With Dante Fabbro returning from an undisclosed injury, Christiansen will be the odd man out of the lineup as a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Christiansen is averaging 12:41 time-on-ice and has eight points (1G / 7A) in 66 games this season.
Fabbro has been battling an undisclosed injury but will be ready to play on Tuesday against the Nashville Predators. The 26-year-old Fabbro is averaging a career-high 21:53 time-on-ice, recording 20 points (6G / 14A), 118 blocks, and 60 hits in 52 games with the Blue Jackets this season.
The Blue Jackets are desperately trying to stay within reach of a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference and will turn to Merzlikins between the pipes on Tuesday against the Nashville Predators. The 30-year-old Merzlikins struggled in his most recent outing, allowing six goals on 37 shots (.838 SV%) despite recording the victory in a 7-6 shootout win over the Vancouver Canucks. He has a 3.09 GAA and .895 SV% in 48 appearances this season (24-19-5). The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as -191 home favorites against a Predators team that lost 2-1 to the Philadelphia Flyers last night.
The Stars had an 11-forward, seven-defenseman formation in their previous game but will return to the traditional formation on Monday against the Seattle Kraken, returning Smith to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 36-year-old Smith is averaging 12:53 time-on-ice and has four points (0G / 4A) in 29 games this season.
