Columbus Blue Jackets News

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.

Gardner was the 60th-overall pick of the Blue Jackets in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old goalie has a 2.83 GAA and .911 SV% in 41 games with the Saskatoon Blades (WHL) this season.

Greaves was between the pipes for the Blue Jackets last night, saving 18 of 20 shots (.900 SV%) in a 2-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils, but will return to the AHL. The 23-year-old Greaves has a 2.84 GAA and .915 SV% in 34 games with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) this season (16-10-6).

Gaunce will slot in for Marcus Foligno, who was a late scratch due to an upper-body injury. Gaunce is yet to register a point in seven games this season.

The reeling Flyers have lost six of their previous seven games (1-6-0) and will turn to Fedotov between the pipes on Monday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Fedotov struggled in his most recent outing, allowing four goals on 23 shots (.826 SV%) in a 5-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators. The 28-year-old goalie has a 3.08 GAA and .884 SV% in 21 games this season (5-11-3). The Flyers enter Monday's contest as significant +244 road underdogs against a Lightning squad they defeated 4-3 in a shootout last week.

Graves played five games with the Blue Jackets earlier this season (2-1-2), posting a 2.98 GAA and .906 SV%, but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL. The 23-year-old Greaves has a 2.84 GAA and .915 SV% in 34 games with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) this season (16-10-6). He will tend the twine on Monday in a matchup where the Blue Jackets are +120 home underdogs against a New Jersey Devils squad that has won three of their previous four games (3-1-0).