Columbus Blue Jackets News

The Blue Jackets' three-game winning streak snapped in their most recent outing when Merzlikins allowed five goals on 39 shots (.872 SV%) in a 5-3 loss to the Dallas Stars. Merzlikins will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 30-year-old Merzlikins has been solid lately, posting a .915 SV% in his last nine games (7-2-0). The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as +152 road underdogs against a Sabres team without offensive threat Tage Thompson (upper body).

The Blue Jackets' three-game winning streak snapped in their most recent outing when Merzlikins allowed five goals on 39 shots (.872 SV%) in a 5-3 loss to the Dallas Stars. Merzlikins will likely return to the crease on Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 30-year-old Merzlikins has been solid lately, posting a .915 SV% in his last nine games (7-2-0). The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as +152 road underdogs against a Sabres team without offensive threat Tage Thompson (upper body).

An arrant puck hit and broke Marchenko's jaw while he was sitting on the bench in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Dallas Stars. No timeline has been provided but the average downtime after a broken jaw is typically six-to-eight weeks. The 24-year-old Marchenko was having a breakout season, scoring 55 points (21G / 34A) in 53 games.

Nichushkin was listed as day-to-day after suffering his injury on January 1st but suffered a setback, downgrading his status to week-to-week. Assuming no further setbacks, Nichushkin will miss five more games before returning against the Nashville Predators on February 22nd when the NHL resumes from its two-week hiatus for the Four Nations tournament. The 29-year-old winger has 11 goals and six assists in 21 games this season.

An arrant puck hit and broke Marchenko's jaw while he was sitting on the bench in Sunday's 5-3 loss to the Dallas Stars. The 24-year-old will be out of the lineup indefinitely, a crushing blow of the Blue Jackets' offense. Marchenko was having a breakout season, scoring 55 points (21G / 34A) in 53 games.

Heinen was acquired from Vancouver on Friday night and is expected to arrive in Pittsburgh in time for Saturday's game, but it's unclear if he will make his Penguins season debut or not. Heinen has 18 points (6G / 12A) in 51 games this season.

Sillinger has not played the previous three games due to an upper-body injury but will re-enter the lineup on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 21-year-old Sillinger is averaging 17:40 time-on-ice and has 23 points (7G / 16A) in 45 games this season.

Nichushkin was listed as day-to-day after suffering his injury on January 1st but suffered a setback last week, downgrading his status to week-to-week. Assuming no further setbacks, Nichushkin will miss five more games before returning against the Nashville Predators on February 22nd when the NHL resumes from its two-week hiatus for the Four Nations tournament. The 29-year-old winger has 11 goals and six assists in 21 games this season.

The Blue Jackets are coming off a 3-2 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Kings when Merzlikins saved 31 of 33 shots (.939 SV%). Merzlikins will return to the crease on Thursday against the Vegas Golden Knights, looking to improve his 2.95 GAA and .894 SV% through 32 games (18-11-3). The 30-year-old netminder has been solid lately, allowing three or fewer goals in six straight (5-1-0), posting a .925 SV%. The Blue Jackets enter the action on Thursday as +252 road underdogs against a Golden Knights team that has lost six of their last eight (2-4-2).

The Red Wings have outscored their opposition 6-2 in their last two games (2-0-0), with Talbot between the pipes, and will roll with him on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings. Talbot was tremendous in his most recent outing, saving all 28 shots he faced in a 2-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning for his second shutout of the season. The 37-year-old goalie has a 2.90 GAA and .906 SV% in 27 games this season. The Red Wings enter Monday's contest as +125 home underdogs against a Kings club that has lost three of their last four (1-2-1).

The Red Wings have outscored their opposition 6-2 in their last two games (2-0-0), with Talbot between the pipes, and will roll with him on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings. Talbot was tremendous in his most recent outing, saving all 28 shots he faced in a 2-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning for his second shutout of the season. The 37-year-old goalie has a 2.90 GAA and .906 SV% in 27 games this season. The Red Wings enter Monday's contest as +125 home underdogs against a Kings club that has lost three of their last four (1-2-1).