Columbus Blue Jackets News

Provorov was a game-time decision due to an illness on Thursday. Provorov is pacing for the best offensive season of his career, scoring 21 points (2G / 19A) through 39 games.

Olivier will re-enter the Blue Jacket's lineup on Thursday against the Philadelphia Flyers in favour of Brendan Gaunce, who will serve the game as a healthy scratch. Olivier last played on December 27th, registering two shots and two hits in 9:51 time-on-ice.

Provorov joins Yegor Chinakhov as players on the Blue Jackets who will be game-time decisions due to an illness on Thursday. Provorov is pacing for the best offensive season of his career, scoring 21 points (2G / 19A) through 39 games.

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.

Talbot will start for the fifth time in the last six games for the Kings when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday. The 36-year-old Talbot has lost three of his last four outings (1-2-1), his worst run of the season, but was terrific on Saturday, saving 24 of 26 shots (.917 SV%) in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The Kings are -127 home favourites against a Maple Leafs team that has lost five of their last six games (1-4-1)

Talbot will start for the fifth time in the last six games for the Kings when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday. The 36-year-old Talbot has lost three of his last four outings (1-2-1), his worst run of the season, but was terrific on Saturday, saving 24 of 26 shots (.917 SV%) in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The Kings are -127 home favourites against a Maple Leafs team that has lost five of their last six games (1-4-1).

Merzlikins got the win on Friday but was not available for Saturday's game in Buffalo due to illness. Returning to practice on Monday sets Merzlikins up for a start Tuesday vs. the Bruins.

Merzlikins played the entirety of the first period of Friday's game but did not come out for the start of the second period due to an illness. Spencer Martin has entered the game in his place. Merzlikins is questionable to return.

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.

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.

Olivier will be a healthy scratch on Friday, potentially making room for Jack Roslovic (ankle) to return to the lineup after a 21-game absence. In 19 games this season, the 26-year-old Olivier has five points (1G / 4A), averaging 10:02 time-on-ice.

Talbot will take the crease for the second half of the Kings' back-to-back as they head to Vegas on Thursday. The 36-year-old signed a one-year contract in the offseason and has been worth every penny as he has posted a 14-6-2 record, 2.06 GAA and .925 SV%. He will take on the ice cold Vegas Golden Knights, who have lost four straight games but are still 11th in the NHL in goals per game (3.33).

Talbot will take the crease for the second half of the Kings' back-to-back as they head to Vegas on Thursday. The 36-year-old signed a one-year contract in the offseason and has been worth every penny as he has posted a 14-6-2 record, 2.06 GAA and .925 SV%. He will take on the ice cold Vegas Golden Knights, who have lost four straight games but are still 11th in the NHL in goals per game (3.33).

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 will likely 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.

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 will be reevaluated after not participating in practice on Thursday. 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.