Columbus Blue Jackets News

Nichushkin was suspended for six months in May and has been cleared to practice with the Avalanche. In addition, he will make his season debut on November 15th, his first day of eligibility. Off-ice issues aside, Nichushkin has been dynamite in his last three seasons with the Avalanche, scoring 152 points (70G / 82A) in 169 games, and he will provide an offensive boost to an injury-depleted team upon his return to the lineup.

Nichushkin was suspended for six months in May and has been cleared to practice with the Avalanche as he approaches eligibility for reinstatement. Off-ice issues aside, Nichushkin has been dynamite in his last three seasons with the Avalanche, scoring 152 points (70G / 82A) in 169 games, and will provide an offensive boost to an injury-depleted team upon his return to the lineup.

Wood's initial prognosis after he suffered an upper-body injury was for a 7-10 day recovery period, which likely hasn't changed after being placed on Injured Reserve. In 10 games this season, Wood has one goal, a -2 plus/minus, and is averaging 13:40 time-on-ice.

The Red Wings have been wildly inconsistent to start the 2024-25 season, heavily relying on their goaltenders, with a 4-5-1 record. Talbot will get the start in the crease on Saturday and has been equally inconsistent, a byproduct of porous team play, posting a 3.16 GAA and .913 SV% in five appearances (2-1-1). The Red Wings, with Alex Lyon between the pipes, were defeated 5-3 by the Buffalo Sabres one week ago.

Voronkov suffered an upper-body injury in the Blue Jackets' preseason finale and has missed the first nine games of the season. The 24-year-old had a productive first NHL season, scoring 18 goals, 34 points and 52 PIMs as a rookie in 75 games played in 2023-24.

The Blue Jackets will return to Merzlikins between the pipes for a third straight game on Friday. After not occupying the crease in four straight, Merzlikins has regained the faith of the Blue Jackets faithful after two incredible performances (2-0-0), saving a combined 57 of 58 shots (.983 SV%), including a 26-save shutout in his previous outing, a 2-0 win over the New York Islanders. That said, Merzlikins and the Blue Jackets will be hard-pressed to extend their winning streak to three games, entering Friday's contest against the 9-1-0 Winnipeg Jets as +160 home underdogs.

With no reason being given for his absence, Fabbro appears to be a healthy scratch. Marc Del Gaizo will draw into the lineup in his place.

Wood will not play on Wednesday and will be out of the lineup for 7-10 days, another in a myriad of injuries for the Avalanche, and will be replaced by freshly recalled T.J. Tynan. In 10 games this season, Wood has one goal, a -2 plus/minus, and is averaging 13:40 time-on-ice.

For the first time this season, the Blue Jackets will roll with Merzlikins between the pipes for consecutive games. After allowing seven goals on 48 shots (.854 SV%) in his first two contests, Merzlikins was tremendous in his third on Monday night, saving 31 of 32 shots (.969 SV%) in a 6-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers. The Blue Jackets enter the action on Wednesday as +130 home underdogs against a New York Islanders club that has only scored 22 goals in nine games this season, the third-fewest in the league.

Wood will not play on Wednesday, another in a myriad of injuries for the Avalanche, and will be replaced by freshly recalled T.J. Tynan. In 10 games this season, Wood has one goal, a -2 plus/minus, and is averaging 13:40 time-on-ice.

Merzlikins has not played since October 15th and is winless in two outings this season, posting an ugly 3.68 GAA and .854 SV%, but will likely return to the crease on Monday night against the Edmonton Oilers. In his previous two seasons combined, Merzlikins has a horrid 3.77 GAA and .889 SV% in 71 appearances (20-35-10), and the start of his 2024-25 campaign has not been promising for a resurgence. The Blue Jackets enter action on Monday as +212 home underdogs against the Oilers.

Merzlikins has not played since October 15th and is winless in two outings this season, posting an ugly 3.68 GAA and .854 SV%, but will likely return to the crease on Monday night against the Edmonton Oilers. In his previous two seasons combined, Merzlikins has a horrid 3.77 GAA and .889 SV% in 71 appearances (20-35-10), and the start of his 2024-25 campaign has not been promising for a resurgence. The Blue Jackets enter action on Monday as +212 home underdogs against the Oilers.

The Red Wings' three-game winning streak was snapped on Saturday, and the team will turn to Talbot in the crease against the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday for the tail end of their back-to-back. Talbot has been wildly inconsistent through three starts this season (2-1-0), including a 42-save shutout and allowing five goals on 19 shots (.737 SV%). The Red Wings enter the action on Sunday as +220 home underdogs.

Despite not practicing on Saturday, Wood will be in the lineup on Sunday against the Ottawa Senators. In eight games this season, the 29-year-old Wood has one goal and six penalty minutes.

Fortunately for Johnson and the Blue Jackets, Johnson will not require surgery, the slimmest of silver linings on unfortunate injury news on the talented youngster. The 22-year-old Johnson was showing signs of a true breakout campaign with two goals and three assists in his first four games.

Copley has been with the Kings since being recalled from Ontario (AHL) on October 16th but strictly served as the backup to David Rittich during his stay. Copley played eight games with the Kings last season (4-1-2), posting a 3.16 GAA and .870 SV%, and has a 3.04 GAA and .864 SV% after one game with the Ontario Reign (1-0-0) this season.

Despite a spectacular 30-save performance for Alex Lyon in a 1-0 win over the New York Islanders on Tuesday, the Red Wings will turn to Talbot between the pipes on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils. Talbot's first start of the season was a sensational 42-save shutout victory but, as a whole, has a less impressive 3.31 GAA and .907 SV% in three appearances (1-1-0). The Red Wings enter action on Thursday as +138 home underdogs against a Devils club that has allowed 14 goals in their last two games (0-1-1).

Lundestrom has not played since exiting last Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Utah Hockey Club after playing 11:18 time-on-ice, missing the last two contests. The 24-year-old Lundestrom has one point (1G / 0A) in three games this season.