Olivier will likely slot back into the Blue Jackets' lineup as Emil Bemstrom is expected to be a healthy scratch. Olivier hasn't played since October 30th, but has six games under his belt this season, recording two points (0G / 2A) while averaging 9:12 time-on-ice. He is expected to skate on the third line with Yegor Chinakhov and Cole Sillinger.
Chinakhov missed the Blue Jackets first six games of the season due to a back strain and was sent to Cleveland (AHL) for a conditioning stint but will make his season debut Saturday vs. Washington. The 22-year-old right winger will be looking to build off his sophomore campaign, which saw him score four goals, nine assists, 44 SOG, 10 PIMs and a -6 plus/minus in 30 games in 2022-23.
Marzlikins was fantastic in his previous start as he stopped 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%) no way to snapping a three-game losing streak and will take on Washington at home Saturday. The 29-year-old had a nightmarish 2022-23, but has bounced back so far this season with his 3-2-2 record, .902 SV% and 2.97 GAA. He'll take on the Washington Capitals, who just had a three-game winning streak snapped even though they are second last in the NHL in goals per game (1.89).
With Kent Johnson being reassigned to the AHL, Chinakhov will likely get a chance to make his season debut for the Blue Jackets. Chinakhov was the 21st overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and had 13 points (4G / 9A) in 30 games with the Blue Jackets last season.
After scoring 40 points (16G / 24A) in 79 games as a rookie last season, Johnson has struggled to stay in the Blue Jackets lineup this season and has seen his time-on-ice drop from 14:31 to 12:50. He has been in and out of the lineup as a healthy scratch and how now been reassigned to the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL. He will likely be replaced by Yegor Chinakhov, who was recalled by the Blue Jackets on Friday.
Hunt will return to the lineup for the Wild on Saturday after being a healthy scratch on Thursday. The 65th overall pick of the Wild in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft has been held without a point in two games this season, averaging only 4:53 time-on-ice.
Merzlikins will get the start on Thursday as he is desperate to snap his current three-game losing streak but will be hard-pressed to do so against the Tampa Bay Lightning. After posting a.920 SV% in his first three games (2-1-0), Merzlikins has struggled since, failing to record a victory (0-1-2) while posting a .875 SV%. The Blue Jackets are +139 home underdogs as the Lightning will be looking to rebound from a 4-3 overtime loss on Monday against the Seattle Kraken.
Hunt has been recalled from Iowa (AHL) for a second time this season after failing to put up a point in four games but has seven PIMs and a -3 plus/minus. He returns to Minnesota, where he made his NHL debut earlier this season in two games, playing only 4:52 TOI/GP.
Gudbranson didn't practice on Sunday because of a lower-body injury but has been deemed fit to play on Monday against the Dallas Stars. Gudbranson has played in all eight games for the Blue Jackets this season, tallying 26 blocked shots, seventh most in the league.
Merzlikins will start for the Blue Jackets on Monday as they take on the Dallas Stars, who are sizeable -281 home favourites. After starting the season with an impressive .950 SV% in his first two games (1-1-0), Merzlikins has returned to the unattractive figures the Blue Jackets became accustomed to last season, posting a .869 SV% in his three games since. Odds certainly aren't in favour of Merzlikins on Monday but the Latvian goaltender has historically been excellent against the Stars, who have the 24th-ranked offence (2.67 GF / GP), boasting a 2.29 GAA and .924 SV% in five career appearances (2-1-0).
Hunt appeared in two games after making his NHL debut on October 27th and picked up a SOG while averaging a minuscule 4:52 TOI which has led to him being reassigned to Iowa (AHL) on Monday. The 21-year-old defenseman returns to the AHL where he has yet to pick up a point, but has seven PIMs and is a -3 plus/minus in four games played so far in 2023-24.
It appears Marchenko will sit for the first time this season on Saturday against the New York Islanders to make room for Kent Johnson. Marchenko has three points (0G / 3A) in seven games this season but zero points in his last five.
Johnson has been in and out of the lineup as a healthy scratch to start the season but appears that he will draw back in on Saturday against the New York Islanders. Johnson has two points (1G / 1A) while averaging 13:13 time-on-ice through five games. He will likely play on a line with Cole Sillinger and Justin Danforth.
Hunt was the Wild's 2020 third-round pick (65th overall) and will make his NHL debut Friday vs. Washington as he takes the spot of Jujhar Khaira in Minnesota's lineup The 21-year-old defensemen had yet to pick up a point with Iowa (AHL) prior to his NHL promotion but had seven PIMs and a -3 plus/minus through four games.
Merzlinkins will man the crease for the third consecutive game, his fifth start of the season, on Thursday in Montreal. Merzlinkins has been reliable to start the season, donning a 2.69 GAA and .913 SV% in four games (2-1-1), but is coming off his weakest performance where he allowed three goals on 27 shots in a 3-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. The Blue Jackets are slight +102 road underdogs against a Canadiens team that is off to a 3-2-1 start this season.
Chinakhov had yet to appear this season for Columbus after missing most of training camp with a back injury but has been activated off the injured/Non-roster list and was loaned to Cleveland (AHL). The 22-year-old was Columbus' 2020 first-round pick (21st overall) and had four goals, nine assists, 44 SOG, 10 PIMs, and a -6 plus/minus.
Johnson has been in and out of the lineup to start the season and is expected to be a healthy scratch again on Thursday. The 21-year-old has two points (1G / 1A) in five games this season.
