Columbus Blue Jackets News

Talbot is the likely starter for the Kings on Tuesday as they visit the Toronto Maple Leafs. Talbot, who has a 2.72 GAA and .905 SV% through six games (3-2-1), has been the clear favourite between the pipes for the Kings as backup Phoenix Copley has struggled tremendously with a horrid 4.98 GAA and .788 SV% through three games (1-0-1). The Kings are +140 road underdogs against a Maple Leafs team that has points in four straight games (3-0-1).

Gudbranson didn't practice on Sunday because of a lower-body injury but has been deemed fit to play on Monday against the Dallas Stars. Gudbranson has played in all eight games for the Blue Jackets this season, tallying 26 blocked shots, seventh most in the league.

Merzlikins will start for the Blue Jackets on Monday as they take on the Dallas Stars, who are sizeable -281 home favourites. After starting the season with an impressive .950 SV% in his first two games (1-1-0), Merzlikins has returned to the unattractive figures the Blue Jackets became accustomed to last season, posting a .869 SV% in his three games since. Odds certainly aren't in favour of Merzlikins on Monday but the Latvian goaltender has historically been excellent against the Stars, who have the 24th-ranked offence (2.67 GF / GP), boasting a 2.29 GAA and .924 SV% in five career appearances (2-1-0).

It appears Marchenko will sit for the first time this season on Saturday against the New York Islanders to make room for Kent Johnson. Marchenko has three points (0G / 3A) in seven games this season but zero points in his last five.

Johnson has been in and out of the lineup as a healthy scratch to start the season but appears that he will draw back in on Saturday against the New York Islanders. Johnson has two points (1G / 1A) while averaging 13:13 time-on-ice through five games. He will likely play on a line with Cole Sillinger and Justin Danforth.

Copley will be rewarded with his second consecutive start after making 24 of 27 saves on Tuesday for a 6-3 victory over the Arizona Coyotes, his first win of the season. The Kings coaching brass hopes familiarity will help Copley find some consistency in his game as the team will match up against the Coyotes once again, this time in Arizona. Scoring goals hasn't been the Coyotes' forte this season, averaging 2.50 goals per game, as such, the Kings are listed as -132 road favourites.

It appears Copley will be rewarded with his second consecutive start after making 24 of 27 saves on Tuesday for a 6-3 victory over the Arizona Coyotes, his first win of the season. The Kings coaching brass hopes familiarity will help Copley find some consistency in his game as the team will match up against the Coyotes once again, this time in Arizona. Scoring goals hasn't been the Coyotes' forte this season, averaging 2.50 goals per game, as such, the Kings are listed as -132 road favourites.

Merzlinkins will man the crease for the third consecutive game, his fifth start of the season, on Thursday in Montreal. Merzlinkins has been reliable to start the season, donning a 2.69 GAA and .913 SV% in four games (2-1-1), but is coming off his weakest performance where he allowed three goals on 27 shots in a 3-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. The Blue Jackets are slight +102 road underdogs against a Canadiens team that is off to a 3-2-1 start this season.

Johnson has been in and out of the lineup to start the season and is expected to be a healthy scratch again on Thursday. The 21-year-old has two points (1G / 1A) in five games this season.

Voronkov had an assist, two PIMs, and a -1 plus/minus in four games with Cleveland (AHL) and has been recalled to Columbus amidst the news of Patrik Laine's injury. The 23-year-old forward was the Blue Jackets' 2019 fourth-round pick (114th overall) and is expected to make his NHL debut Thursday vs. Montreal.

Copley will start his second game of the season and hope to bounce back after a terrible outing in his season debut. Copley allowed five goals on 19 shots in his only game this season, a 6-5 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. Pressure will be on for Copley as another poor outing could lead to the Kings eventually giving David Rittich a shot at backup duties. The Kings are -179 home favourites on Tuesday against an Arizona Coyotes team that has been selective offensively (2.40 GF/GP) and stingy defensively (1.80 GA/GP) through five contests (3-2-0).

Copley will likely start his second game of the season and hope to bounce back after a terrible outing in his season debut. Copley allowed five goals on 19 shots in his only game this season, a 6-5 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes. Pressure will be on for Copley as another poor outing could lead to the Kings eventually giving David Rittich a shot at backup duties. The Kings are -179 home favourites on Tuesday against an Arizona Coyotes team that has been selective offensively (2.40 GF/GP) and stingy defensively (1.80 GA/GP) through five contests (3-2-0).

Despite allowing four goals on 28 shots, Merzlinkins recorded his second win of the season on Saturday and will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. Merzlinkins and the Blue Jackets are -146 home favourites against a Ducks team that is averaging a lowly 2.20 goals per game. The Blue Jackets will, however, be without their star forward Patrik Laine (upper-body).

Voronkov had an assist, two PIMs, and a -1 plus/minus in four games with Cleveland (AHL) and has been recalled to Columbus amidst the news of Patrik Laine's injury. The 23-year-old forward was the Blue Jackets' 2019 fourth-round pick (114th overall) and is expected to make his NHL debut Tuesday vs. Anaheim.

Merzlikins was expected to start Friday vs. Calgary but was pulled late as he was still dealing with an illness and is expected to start Saturday vs. Minnesota. The 29-year-old has had an incredible two starts so far in 2023-24, with his 1-1-0 record, .950 SV% and 1.84 GAA. He takes on the Minnesota Wild, who have lost two of their last three games but are eighth in the NHL in goals per game (3.5).

Merzlikins was expected to start Friday vs. Calgary but was pulled late as he was still dealing with an illness and is expected to start Saturday vs. Minnesota. The 29-year-old has had an incredible two starts so far in 2023-24, with his 1-1-0 record, .950 SV% and 1.84 GAA. He takes on the Minnesota Wild, who have lost two of their last three games but are eighth in the NHL in goals per game (3.5).