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Columbus Blue Jackets News

Wood (illness) has tested positive for the flu Wednesday and will be out vs. Vegas.

Wood did not play on Saturday, was a game-time decision on Monday, and has been ruled out for Wednesday's game against the Vegas Golden Knights as he battles the flu. Wood was very effective in a top-six role in his last outing, scoring one point (0G / 1A) and firing three shots on goal in 15:31 time-on-ice.

Miles Wood
Wood (illness) is doubtful to return to the Avalanche lineup Wednesday vs. Vegas.

Wood did not play on Saturday, was a game-time decision on Monday, and is again doubtful on Wednesday as he battles an illness. Wood was very effective in a top-six role in his last outing, scoring one point (0G / 1A) and firing three shots on goal in 15:31 time-on-ice.

Miles Wood
Wood (illness) is questionable to play Monday vs. Boston and will be a game-time decision.

Wood did not play on Saturday and will be a game-time decision on Monday as he battles an illness. Wood was very effective in a top-six role in his last outing, scoring one point (0G / 1A) and firing three shots on goal in 15:31 time-on-ice.

Miles Wood
Isac Lunderstrom (achilles) is expected to make his season debut Wednesday vs. Toronto.

Lundestrom will make his season debut on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, on schedule with his six-month recovery period after receiving off-season Achilles surgery. Lundstrom had four goals, 10 assists, 60 SOG, two PIMs and a -13 plus/minus through 61 games in 2022-23.

Isac Lundestrom
Zach Werenski (ankle) has been placed on the Injured Reserve and is week-to-week.

Werenski suffered a lower-body injury in Wednesday's contest against the New Jersey Devils and exited the game after playing only 11:15 time-on-ice. Werenski has struggled to stay healthy the last several seasons and has been placed on IR. He is expected to be out of the lineup on a week-to-week basis. He has been a solid contributor for the Blue Jackets on the blueline this season, scoring 19 points, all assists, in his last 23 games. Ivan Provorov assumed the top powerplay role after Werenski exited the game on Wednesday.

Zach Werenski
Elvis Merzlikins will start Friday vs. Toronto.

Merzlikins will return to the crease for the Blue Jackets on Friday after a disappointing loss in his last outing. Against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday, Merzlikins allowed two goals in the final five minutes of regulation in an eventual 4-3 overtime loss. The Latvian netminder is winless in his last two games (0-0-2), allowing seven total goals and posting a .896 SV%. Merzlikins was between the pipes just over two weeks ago in a 6-5 overtime victory over the Maple Leafs when he allowed five goals on 48 shots (.896 SV%), but the Blue Jackets are still sizeable +181 home underdogs against them on Friday.

Elvis Merzlikins