Columbus Blue Jackets News

Despite appearing to be shaken up at the morning skate, Merzlikins will make his 31st start of the season when the Blue Jackets travel to Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs on Wednesday. Merzlikins didn't turn in his best performance his last time out, allowing three goals on 25 shots in a 3-1 loss on Long Island. The loss snapped a personal four-game winning streak for the 30-year-old netminder. Merzlikins carries a 16-11-3 record and an .890 SV% into Wednesday night's matchup. He'll have a hard time getting back in the win column against the Maple Leafs as the Blue Jackets enter action at +175 on the money line.

Harris has not played since January 4th but will re-enter the lineup on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 24-year-old Harris is averaging 11:39 time-on-ice, recording 26 blocks, 17 hits, and three points (1G / 2A) in 24 games this season.

Merzlikins left the Blue Jackets' morning skate on Wednesday early due to an undisclosed ailment. It's unclear if this will affect his availability for Wednesday's tilt against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Mateychuk did not play the previous game for the Blue Jackets and will remain out of the lineup due to an illness on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 20-year-old defenseman is averaging 18:10 time-on-ice and has three points (1G / 2A) in 12 games this season.

Mateychuk was a surprise scratch on Monday, with the team not announcing his absence prior to warmups. Jack Johnson will draw into the lineup in his place.

Johnson will fill in for Denton Mateychuk, who is listed as a scratch. Johnson has appeared in 27 games this season, registering zero goals and two assists.

Daniil Tarasov between the pipes in Saturday's 1-0 shootout loss to the New York Rangers, but the Blue Jackets will return to Merzlikins on Monday against the New York Islanders. Merzlikins saved 18 of 19 shots (.947 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-1 win over the San Jose Sharks. He has a 3.05 GAA and .890 SV% in 29 games this season (16-10-3). The Blue Jackets enter Monday's contest as +142 road underdogs against an Islanders club they defeated 2-0 on October 30th.

With Justin Danforth (lower body) returning from a multi-week absence, Labanc will be a healthy scratch on Monday against the New York Islanders. The 29-year-old Labanc is averaging 10:29 time-on-ice and has 12 points (2G / 10A) in 33 games this season.

Danforth has not played since December 10th due to a lower-body injury but will make his return on Monday. The 31-year-old Danforth is averaging a career-high 15:20 time-on-ice and has eight points (3G / 5A) in 25 games this season. Kevin Labanc will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Danforth's return.

Christiansen has been a staple on the Blue Jackets' blue line this season and has been rewarded with a two-year, $1.95 million contract extension. The 25-year-old defenseman is averaging 13:07 time-on-ice, recording seven points (1G / 6A), 41 hits, and 28 blocks in 45 games this season.

With Tyler Motte (upper body) sidelined, Fischer will return to Detroit's lineup for the first time since December 27th. The 27-year-old Fischer is averaging 11:28 time-on-ice and has four points (1G / 3A) in 31 games this season.

The red-hot Blue Jackets have won five straight and will turn to Merzlikins between the pipes on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. Merzlikins was excellent in his previous outing, saving 29 of 31 shots (.935 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the Seattle Kraken. He has a 3.12 GAA and .889 SV% in 28 games this season (15-10-3). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as -163 home favorites against a Sharks team that snapped the Detroit Red Wings' seven-game winning streak with a 6-3 win on Tuesday.

Aston-Reese has impressed in his first season with the Blue Jackets, recording 11 points (4G / 7A), 32 blocks, and 94 hits in 42 games. The 30-year-old Aston-Reese spent most of the 2023-24 season in the AHL but has solidified himself a spot with the Blue Jackets. He signed a one-year, $775,000 contract extension with the club on Monday.

Tarasov has returned from a conditioning stint with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) and will tend the twine for the Blue Jackets on Tuesday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 25-year-old Tarasov played reasonably in a two-game stint in the AHL (1-1-0), posting a 2.96 GAA and .908 SV%. He has a 4.23 GAA and .857 SV% in 10 appearances with the Blue Jackets this season (3-6-1). The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as slight -103 home underdogs against a Flyers club that defeated the Florida Panthers 4-3 last night.

Aston-Reese has impressed in his first season with the Blue Jackets, recording 11 points (4G / 7A), 32 blocks, and 94 hits in 42 games. The 30-year-old Aston-Reese spent most of the 2023-24 season in the AHL but has solidified himself a spot with the Blue Jackets.