Columbus Blue Jackets News

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.

Jimmy Vesey will draw back into Colorado's lineup on Monday against the Calgary Flames, sending Wood to the press box as a healthy scratch. Wood has four points (2G / 2A) in 32 games this season and only has one assist in his last 19 contests.

Fabbro is battling an undisclosed injury but could 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 Flyers have outscored their opposition 13-8 during a two-game winning streak and will turn Fedotov between the pipes on Monday against the Nashville Predators. The 28-year-old Fedotov had a forgetful night in his most recent outing, allowing seven goals on 29 shots (.759 SV%) in a 7-4 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks. He has a 3.21 GAA and .877 SV% in 24 appearances this season (5-13-3). The Flyers enter Monday's contest as -119 home favorites against a Predators squad that has lost two straight (0-2-0) and will be without Jonathan Marchessault (lower body).

Sillinger missed the last 11 games with a shoulder injury but will play Friday with the Canucks. Sillinger, who has 29 points (9G / 20A) in 54 games this season, will skate on the third line with Justin Danforth and Mathieu Olivier.

The Blue Jackets snapped a six-game losing skid in their most recent outing when Merzlikins saved 30 of 33 shots (.909 SV%) in a 4-3 win over the New York Islanders. They will roll Merzlikins between the pipes on Friday against the Vancouver Canucks as they try to stay within reach of a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. The 30-year-old Merzlikins has a 3.03 GAA and .896 SV% in 47 games this season (23-19-5). The Blue Jackets enter Friday's contest as -125 home favorites against a Canucks squad riding a two-game winning streak.

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.

Fasching did not play in New York's previous game due to an illness, but will re-enter the lineup on Wednesday against the Vancouver Canucks. The 29-year-old Fasching is averaging 10:04 time-on-ice and has two points (0G / 2A) in 31 games this season. Adam Boqvist will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Fasching's return.

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.