Columbus Blue Jackets News

Despite appearing to be shaken up at the morning skate, Merzlikins will make his 31st start of the season when the Blue Jackets travel to Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs on Wednesday. Merzlikins didn't turn in his best performance his last time out, allowing three goals on 25 shots in a 3-1 loss on Long Island. The loss snapped a personal four-game winning streak for the 30-year-old netminder. Merzlikins carries a 16-11-3 record and an .890 SV% into Wednesday night's matchup. He'll have a hard time getting back in the win column against the Maple Leafs as the Blue Jackets enter action at +175 on the money line.

Merzlikins left the Blue Jackets' morning skate on Wednesday early due to an undisclosed ailment. It's unclear if this will affect his availability for Wednesday's tilt against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Mateychuk did not play the previous game for the Blue Jackets and will remain out of the lineup due to an illness on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 20-year-old defenseman is averaging 18:10 time-on-ice and has three points (1G / 2A) in 12 games this season.

Lundestrom exited Saturday's 3-0 loss to the Florida Panthers after a knee-on-knee hit by Sam Reinhart. Reinhart was ejected from the game. The 25-year-old Lundestrom is averaging 14:01 time-on-ice and has seven points (4G / 3A) in 44 games this season.

Gaunce has 182 games of NHL experience but has never been able to secure a spot on an NHL roster. The 30-year-old played five games with Minnesota earlier this season but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, tallying 22 points (12G / 10A) in 26 games with the Iowa Wild.

Mateychuk was a surprise scratch on Monday, with the team not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Jack Johnson will draw into the lineup in his place.

Daniil Tarasov between the pipes in Saturday's 1-0 shootout loss to the New York Rangers, but the Blue Jackets will return to Merzlikins on Monday against the New York Islanders. Merzlikins saved 18 of 19 shots (.947 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-1 win over the San Jose Sharks. He has a 3.05 GAA and .890 SV% in 29 games this season (16-10-3). The Blue Jackets enter Monday's contest as +142 road underdogs against an Islanders club they defeated 2-0 on October 30th.

Gaunce has 182 games of NHL experience but has never been able to secure a spot on an NHL roster. The 30-year-old played five games with Minnesota earlier this season but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, tallying 22 points (12G / 10A) in 26 games with the Iowa Wild.

Christiansen has been a staple on the Blue Jackets' blue line this season and has been rewarded with a two-year, $1.95 million contract extension. The 25-year-old defenseman is averaging 13:07 time-on-ice, recording seven points (1G / 6A), 41 hits, and 28 blocks in 45 games this season.

Gaunce was recalled along with forward Liam Ohgren. Kirill Kaprizov was placed on long-term injured reserve and Marcus Johansson was placed on injured reserve in a pair of corresponding moves.

The red-hot Blue Jackets have won five straight and will turn to Merzlikins between the pipes on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. Merzlikins was excellent in his previous outing, saving 29 of 31 shots (.935 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the Seattle Kraken. He has a 3.12 GAA and .889 SV% in 28 games this season (15-10-3). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as -163 home favorites against a Sharks team that snapped the Detroit Red Wings' seven-game winning streak with a 6-3 win on Tuesday.

The Bruins are navigating a handful of injuries at the moment but will fortunately have Coyle available for Tuesday's game against the Lightning. The 32-year-old Coyle is averaging 17:20 time-on-ice and has 14 points (4G / 10A) in 45 games this season.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, the Flyers will turn to Fedotov between the pipes on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 28-year-old Fedotov allowed three goals on 17 shots (.824 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. He has a 3.40 GAA and .874 SV% in 12 appearances this season (4-5-2). The Flyers enter Tuesday's contest as -112 road favorites against a Blue Jackets club they defeated 5-4 on December 21st.

Aston-Reese has impressed in his first season with the Blue Jackets, recording 11 points (4G / 7A), 32 blocks, and 94 hits in 42 games. The 30-year-old Aston-Reese spent most of the 2023-24 season in the AHL but has solidified himself a spot with the Blue Jackets. He signed a one-year, $775,000 contract extension with the club on Monday.

The Bruins are navigating a handful of injuries at the moment and could also be without Coyle on Tuesday night due to an illness. The 32-year-old Coyle is averaging 17:20 time-on-ice and has 14 points (4G / 10A) in 45 games this season.

Aston-Reese has impressed in his first season with the Blue Jackets, recording 11 points (4G / 7A), 32 blocks, and 94 hits in 42 games. The 30-year-old Aston-Reese spent most of the 2023-24 season in the AHL but has solidified himself a spot with the Blue Jackets.