Nylander has been dealing with a lingering groin injury and is questionable for Sweden’s game vs. Italy on Wednesday. With Sweden listed as massive -20000 favourites against the hosts, it would make sense to rest Nylander if he’s not 100 percent and have him ready for Friday’s matchup with Finland.
Blankenburg will take a seat on Thursday as the Predators opt to get some fresh legs into their lineup for the tail-end of their back-to-back. Justin Barron will dress in his place.
Marchenko will in fact be unavailable on Wednesday despite Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness saying he was expected to play. The 25-year-old Marchenko has 46 points (19G / 27A) in 50 games this season, including five points (1G / 4A) in his last four games.
Out of precaution, Rick Bowness and the Columbus coaching staff opted not to have Marchenko travel with the team to avoid potentially spreading his illness at the start of their road trip. Still, he has since joined them and will be added to the lineup on Wednesday. The 25-year-old Marchenko has 46 points (19G / 27A) in 50 games this season, including five points (1G / 4A) in his last four games.
Paul scored a goal in Tampa Bay's roller-coaster 6-5 shootout win over the Boston Bruins on Sunday, but he exited the game early because of an undisclosed injury and has been ruled out for the team's final game before the Olympic Break. The 30-year-old Paul's goal on Sunday snapped a nine-game pointless skid.
Bobrovsky's miserable season continued on Monday when he allowed five goals on 20 shots (.750 SV%) in a 5-3 loss to the Buffalo Sabres. The 37-year-old Bobrovsky has lost eight of his last 11 games (3-8-0), posting an abysmal 3.83 GAA and .829 SV%. Still, the Panthers, desperate to climb back into the playoff race, enter Wednesday's contest as -134 home favourites against a Boston Bruins team with points in six straight games (4-0-2).
Paul scored a goal in Tampa Bay's roller-coaster 6-5 shootout win over the Boston Bruins on Sunday, but he exited the game early because of an undisclosed injury and has been ruled out for the team's final two games before the Olympic Break. The 30-year-old Paul's goal on Sunday snapped a nine-game pointless skid.
Out of precaution, Rick Bowness and the Columbus coaching staff opted not to have Marchenko travel with the team to avoid potentially spreading his illness. With Wednesday being the Blue Jackets' final game before the Olympic Break, Marchenko may remain sidelined until action resumes in late February, but he has not been ruled out yet.
The Blue Jackets are 9-1-0 in their last 10 games, coinciding with Rick Bowness taking over head coaching duties and improved play by Merzlikins between the pipes. Since the coaching change, the 31-year-old Latvian goalie is sporting a solid 2.49 GAA and .909 SV% in five games. The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as slight -107 road favourites against a struggling New Jersey Devils team that has lost three of its last four games (1-3-0).
Blankenburg will return to the Predators lineup on Monday after sitting out Saturday's game due to an illness. Blankenburg has appeared in 43 games this season, logging a career-high six goals and 15 assists.
Stolarz has struggled since returning from a 10-week absence due to an injury, posting an ugly 4.53 GAA and .824 SV% in two games (0-2-0), but hopes to find his footing on Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 32-year-old Stolarz had a tremendous 2024-25 season with the Maple Leafs, but even before his injury, he had not had the 2025-26 season the team hoped for. The Maple Leafs enter the action on Tuesday as +160 road underdogs against an Oilers team coming off a 7-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild.
Rielly suffered an upper-body injury in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks, exiting the game in the second period because of an upper-body injury. The 31-year-old defenseman will miss at least the next two games before the Winter Olympic break. He has 31 points (7G / 24A) and a -17 plus/minus in 54 games this season.
Out of precaution, Rick Bowness and the Columbus coaching staff opted not to have Marchenko travel with the team to avoid potentially spreading his illness. With only two games for the Blue Jackets before the Winter Olympic break, Marchenko may be kept out of the lineup until action resumes in late February.
Bobrovsky played well in his previous outing, saving 19 of 21 shots (.905 SV%), but his inability to win games recently continued, as he lost 2-1 to the Winnipeg Jets. The 37-year-old Bobrovsky has lost seven of his last 10 outings (3-7-0), posting an ugly 3.73 GAA and .836 SV%. The Panthers enter the action on Monday as -111 home favourites against a red-hot Buffalo Sabres team that suffered a rare loss on Saturday, losing 4-2 to the Montreal Canadiens.
Bobrovsky played well in his previous outing, saving 19 of 21 shots (.905 SV%), but his inability to win games recently continued, as he lost 2-1 to the Winnipeg Jets. The 37-year-old Bobrovsky has lost seven of his last 10 outings (3-7-0), posting an ugly 3.73 GAA and .836 SV%. The Panthers enter the action on Monday as -111 home favourites against a red-hot Buffalo Sabres team that suffered a rare loss on Saturday, losing 4-2 to the Montreal Canadiens.
Rifai has only played two career NHL games and has seem limited action at either level this season. The undrafted 27-year-old defenseman has four assists in 12 games with the Marlies (AHL). Simon Benoit will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Rifai's debut.
