Provorov missed the Flyers' morning skate due to an illness and will be a game-time decision vs. the Rangers. Provorov has not missed a game in his NHL career, so don't expect him to sit tonight.
Merzlikins was pulled after allowing two goals on eight shots in the Blue Jackets' loss in Ottawa on Saturday afternoon. Merzlikins is still searching for his first NHL win after starting his career 0-4-3 with a 3.41 GAA and .889 SV%. He has not played well but a matchup vs. the Red Wings is a great opportunity to mark one in the win column.
This is surprising. The Blue Jackets announced that Werenski will miss one month with a sprained AC joint just over two weeks ago, but activating him from IR suggests he will play tonight in Detroit. The 22-year-old is a Michigan native, so he will be playing in front of family if he is in the lineup and comes in with 16 points (6G / 10A) in 26 games this season.
Merzlikins allowed three goals on 26 shots in the Blue Jackets' loss in Florida last Saturday. The 25-year-old is still looking for his first NHL win, as he has started the year 0-4-3 with a 3.30 GAA and .894 SV% in seven starts and one relief appearance. Today he takes on a Senators team that has lost seven of their last nine while scoring 2.33 goals per game.
Merzlikins allowed two goals on 27 shots in the Blue Jackets' loss to the Islanders last Saturday. Joonas Korpisalo started the last two games but Merzlikins will start tonight in Florida. Merzlikins has not started on home ice this season but has made six road starts, going 0-3-3 with a 3.66 GAA and .884 SV%. The Panthers come in at 7-4-2 while scoring 3.62 goals per game on home-ice.
Werenski is expected to miss one month with a sprain AC joint, so his move to IR opens up a roster spot to recall reinforcements if the Blue Jackets need them.
Aston-Reese was absent from Tuesday’s practice session but the Penguins expect him to be in the lineup vs. the Blues. Aston-Reese has just four goals and three assists (seven points) in 27 games this season.
Olivier appeared in eight straight games with the Predators but Kyle Turris was back in the lineup on Tuesday and Olivier's return to the AHL suggests he'll remain in the lineup moving forward. Olivier had one assist, six shots and a plus-1 rating during his time with Nashville.
Gaunce appeared in one game during his call-up and picked up one assist in 9:10 TOI. He returns to the AHL to make room for John Moore to come back from his conditioning stint.
Werenski left Saturday's game with a shoulder injury and the Blue Jackets announced on Sunday that he'll be out for at least four weeks. Werenski's injury leaves the Blue Jackets with six healthy defensemen, so look for them to call someone up from Cleveland (AHL) before Tuesday's game. Don't expect to see Werenski until late-December/early-January.
Merzlikins gave up four goals on 31 shots in the Blue Jackets loss in Winnipeg last Saturday. Merzlikins is still winless in five NHL appearances but is coming off of a win in the AHL earlier in the week. Tonight he faces an Islanders team that has won nine of their last 10 while scoring 3.80 goals per game on home-ice this season.
Gaunce had one assist in 9:10 TOI in his Bruins debut on Wednesday but will be replaced by Jack Studnicka in the lineup on Friday.
This is the second time that the Blue Jackets have done this. They want Merzlikins to get some playing time and with Joonas Korpisalo playing well, he's not going to get that in Columbus right now. Merzlikins allowed one goal on 29 shots in a losing effort in his only AHL game.
Gaunce was called up last week but did not make his Bruins debut. In 14 AHL games, the 25-year-old has collected six goals and five assists (11 points). He could make his debut on their two-game road-trip with both Patrice Bergeron and Brett Ritchie both out.
The Flyers did not disclose what kind of injury that Provorov is dealing with, but he will take part in warmups and remains a game-time decision. Monitor his status as the 1:00 pm puck-drop draws near.
Jaros played 10:21 TOI while picking up four PIMS and a minus-1 rating in his season debut vs. the Rangers last night. With the Senators off until Monday, Jaros' return to the AHL suggests that they expect one of Erik Brannstrom, Nikita Zaitsev or Cody Goloubef to be ready to play.
Cody Goloubef was hurt in the morning skate, so Jaros comes up and will make his season debut on Friday. Jaros, who has six points (1G / 5A) in 14 AHL games this season, has registered 10 points (1G / 9A) in 63 career NHL games with Ottawa.
