Columbus Blue Jackets News

The Blue Jackets' new Head Coach Rick Bowness continues to show his trust in Elvis Merzlikins, who will return to the crease for the fifth time in eight games since the coaching change. The 31-year-old Latvian goalie has also played better with his uptick in deployment, posting a 2.63 GAA and .907 SV% in his last four outings (3-1-0). The Blue Jackets enter the action on Friday as -147 road favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks team on a four-game losing streak (0-2-2).

Egor Zamula will be a healthy scratch on Friday, allowing Christiansen to re-enter the lineup against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 26-year-old Christiansen is averaging 10:17 time-on-ice and has two assists in 31 games this season.

The Blue Jackets' new Head Coach Rick Bowness continues to show his trust in Elvis Merzlikins, who will return to the crease for the fifth time in eight games since the coaching change. The 31-year-old Latvian goalie has also played better with his uptick in deployment, posting a 2.63 GAA and .907 SV% in his last four outings (3-1-0). The Blue Jackets enter the action on Friday as -147 road favourites against a Chicago Blackhawks team on a four-game losing streak (0-2-2).

Merzlikins has not played in over a week but has seen more action lately, after playing only three times in the previous month. The 31-year-old Merzlikins has played better since Rick Bowness took over as the Blue Jackets' new Head Coach, saving 64 of 70 shots (.914 SV%) in three games (2-1-0), but consistency has been a significant issue for the Latvian goalie. The Blue Jackets enter Wednesday's contest as -135 home favorites against a Philadelphia Flyers team that is coming off a 4-0 loss to the New York Islanders.

Mateychuk has been sidelined for over two weeks because of an upper-body injury, but he will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 21-year-old defenseman is having an excellent season, playing predominantly alongside Zach Werenski, averaging 20:20 time-on-ice and scoring 21 points (8G / 13A) through 44 games.

Mateychuk has been sidelined for over two weeks because of an upper-body injury, but he will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Philadelphia Flyers. The 21-year-old defenseman is having an excellent season, playing predominantly alongside Zach Werenski, averaging 20:20 time-on-ice and scoring 21 points (8G / 13A) through 44 games.

With Dento Mateychuk (upper body) returning from a two-week absence, Christiansen will exit the lineup as a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Christiansen is averaging 10:17 time-on-ice and has two assists in 31 games this season.

Mateychuk has been sidelined for over two weeks because of an upper-body injury, but he will return to the lineup on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 21-year-old defenseman is having an excellent season, playing predominantly alongside Zach Werenski, averaging 20:20 time-on-ice and scoring 21 points (8G / 13A) through 44 games.

Jet Greaves started two consecutive games for Columbus, but the team will revert to Merzlikins on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings. The 31-year-old Merzlikins has played better since Rick Bowness took over as the Blue Jackets' new Head Coach, saving 64 of 70 shots (.914 SV%) in three games (2-1-0), but consistency has been a major issue for the Latvian goalie. The Blue Jackets enter Monday's contest with even -105 odds at home against a Kings team with points in five straight games (2-0-3).

Lomberg has appeared in 47 of 51 games this season, but will be replaced by Justin Kirkland in the lineup on Sunday. Lomberg isn't known for his offence, but he's been goalless with three assists in his last 13 games.

Greaves had a heavy workload before Rick Bowness took over as the Blue Jackets' Head Coach and seemingly took a liking to Elvis Merzlikins, but he will return to the crease on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. Despite the lack of action lately, the 24-year-old Greaves has been solid the past few weeks, posting a 2.54 GAA and .915 SV% in his last 11 games (6-4-1). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's game as +106 home underdogs against a Dallas Stars team coming off a 6-2 win over the Boston Bruins.

Greaves had a heavy workload before Rick Bowness took over as the Blue Jackets' Head Coach and seemingly took a liking to Elvis Merzlikins, but he will return to the crease on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. Despite the lack of action lately, the 24-year-old Greaves has been solid the past few weeks, posting a 2.54 GAA and .915 SV% in his last 11 games (6-4-1). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's game as +106 home underdogs against a Dallas Stars team coming off a 6-2 win over the Boston Bruins.

With Luke Hughes (shoulder) on LTIR, the Devils have recalled White from Utica (AHL). The 28-year-old White played 23 games with the Devils earlier this season, tallying four assists.