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Columbus Blue Jackets News

Merzlikins will start vs. Seattle on Thursday.

The Blue Jackets are riding a two-game winning streak and will roll with Merzlikins between the pipes for a fifth straight outing. Merzlikins allowed three goals on 23 shots (.870 SV%) in his most recent contest but was strong enough for a 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 30-year-old Merzlikins has a 3.17 GAA and .887 SV% in 27 games this season (14-10-3). He has not finished a season with a winning record since the 2021-22 campaign. The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as +109 home underdogs against a Seattle Kraken squad amid a three-game losing skid (0-2-1).

Elvis Merzlikins
Del Bel Belluz is expected to make his season debut vs. Seattle on Thursday.

With Sean Monahan (wrist) sidelined, the Blue Jackets have recalled Del Bel Belluz from the Cleveland Monsters (AHL). The 21-year-old Del Bel Belluz made his NHL debut last season, scoring one goal in one game. He leads the AHL with 37 points (17G / 20A) in 34 games this season.

Luca Del Bel Belluz
Monahan (wrist) has been placed on IR.

It's unclear when Monahan suffered his wrist injury in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he did not appear in the third period, finishing the game with only 12:26 time-on-ice. The team is waiting for results from a bone scan to have a more concrete timeline for his return. Monahan, in his age-30 season, was producing at a point-per-game pace for only the second time in his career, with 41 points (14G / 27A) in 41 games.

Sean Monahan
Monahan is expected to miss some time with a wrist injury.

It's unclear when Monahan suffered his wrist injury in Tuesday's 4-3 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he did not appear in the third period, finishing the game with only 12:26 time-on-ice. The team is waiting for results from a bone scan to have a more concrete timeline for his return. Monahan, in his age-30 season, was producing at a point-per-game pace for only the second time in his career, with 41 points (14G / 27A) in 41 games.

Sean Monahan
Nichushkin is progressing from his lower-body injury but will not attend Colorado's upcoming three-game road trip.

Originally slated to return on Colorado's upcoming three-game road trip, Nichushkin has been ruled out for those games by head coach Jared Bednar. Nichushkin has not played since suffering the injury on New Year's Eve against the Jets. The 29-year-old winger has 11 goals and six assists in 21 games this season.

Valeri Nichushkin
Merzlikins will start in Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

The Blue Jackets have won two of their last three (2-1-0) and will roll with Merzlikins between the pipes on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Merzlikins allowed four goals on 33 shots (.879 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 5-4 win over the St. Louis Blues. The 30-year-old netminder has a 3.18 GAA and .888 SV% in 26 games this season (13-10-3). The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as +133 road underdogs against a Penguins club they defeated 6-2 on November 15th.

Elvis Merzlikins
Merzlikins is in the starter's crease at Columbus' morning skate.

The Blue Jackets have won two of their last three (2-1-0) and will likely roll with Merzlikins between the pipes on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Merzlikins allowed four goals on 33 shots (.879 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 5-4 win over the St. Louis Blues. The 30-year-old netminder has a 3.18 GAA and .888 SV% in 26 games this season (13-10-3). The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as +133 road underdogs against a Penguins club they defeated 6-2 on November 15th.

Elvis Merzlikins
Nichushkin (lower-body) is expected to make his return to the Avalanche lineup during their upcoming road trip.

The Avalanche travel to Chicago, Minnesota, and Winnipeg on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday respectively, meaning Nichushkin should return by the weekend at the latest. Nichushkin has not played since suffering the injury on New Year's Eve against the Jets. The 29-year-old winger has 11 goals and six assists in 21 games this season.

Valeri Nichushkin
Merzlikins will start against the Red Wings on Thursday.

The Blue Jackets have won three of their last four (3-1-0) and will roll with Merzlikins between the pipes on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. Merzlikins was solid in his most recent outing, saving 32 of 35 shots (.914 SV%) in a 4-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. The 30-year-old netminder has a 3.07 GAA and .891 SV% in 24 games this season (12-9-3). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as -123 home favorites against a Red Wings club outscoring their opposition 8-4 during a two-game winning streak.

Elvis Merzlikins
Talbot will start Thursday in Columbus.

The Red Wings have won two straight, both with Alex Lyon in net, but will turn to Talbot on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The veteran Talbot has not recorded a victory since November 27th, going 0-5-0 in that stretch and posting an ugly .861 SV%. He has a 2.98 GAA and .906 SV% in 19 appearances this season (6-9-2). The Red Wings enter Thursday's contest as +105 road underdogs against a Blue Jackets squad with points in five of their last six (4-1-1).

Cam Talbot
Nichuskin (lower-body) is out on Thursday vs. Buffalo and is considered day-to-day.

Nichushkin exited Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets in the second period after only 11:54 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury. The 29-year-old Nichushkin has played well since debuting in November, scoring 17 points (11G / 6A) in his last 18 games. His next chance to return to the lineup will be on Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens but he is expected to miss 7-10 days so that looks unlikely.

Valeri Nichushkin
Merzlikins is in the starter's crease at Columbus' morning skate.

The Blue Jackets have won three of their last four (3-1-0) and will roll with Merzlikins between the pipes on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. Merzlikins was solid in his most recent outing, saving 32 of 35 shots (.914 SV%) in a 4-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. The 30-year-old netminder has a 3.07 GAA and .891 SV% in 24 games this season (12-9-3). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as -123 home favorites against a Red Wings club outscoring their opposition 8-4 during a two-game winning streak.

Elvis Merzlikins
Nichushkin left Tuesday’s game vs. Winnipeg with a lower-body injury and did not return.

Nichushkin exited Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets in the second period after only 11:54 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury. The 29-year-old Nichushkin has played well since debuting in November, scoring 17 points (11G / 6A) in his last 18 games. Colorado will likely provide an update on Nichushkin before they return to the ice on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres.

Valeri Nichushkin
Merzlikins will start vs. Carolina on Tuesday.

The Blue Jackets are coming off a 4-0 loss to the Boston Bruins and will revert to Merzlikins between the pipes on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Merzlikins was solid in his previous outing, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the Bruins. He has a 3.09 GAA and .890 SV% in 23 games this season (11-9-3) and has not finished a season with a record above .500 since the 2021-22 campaign. The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as +188 home underdogs against a Hurricanes club that defeated them 4-1 two weeks ago.

Elvis Merzlikins