Merzlikins did not suit up on Thursday after exiting practice early and will miss at least one more game. The 30-year-old Merzlikins has a 3.18 GAA and .892 SV% in 53 games this season (26-21-5).
Lettieri will be the odd-man out on Thursday in order to make room for Riley Duran's NHL debut. Lettieri has three goals and two assists in 24 games this season.
Smith is an undrafted defenseman from Oshawa, Ontario that has spent the previous four seasons in the OHL. The 20-year-old scored 32 points (10G / 22A) in 64 games with the Flint Firebirds (OHL) in the 2024-25 season.
Merzlikins was practicing in the starter's crease at the Blue Jackets' morning skate on Thursday, but has suffered an undisclosed injury and will not play against the Buffalo Sabres. The 30-year-old Merzlikins has a 3.18 GAA and .892 SV% in 53 games this season (26-21-5).
Bobrovsky saved 17 of 18 shots in a 3-1 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday, and he will return to the crease on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. The 36-year-old Bobrovsky has a 2.42 GAA and .907 SV% in 52 games this season (32-18-2). The Panthers suddenly find themselves trying to secure third place in the Atlantic division, fighting to not fall into a Wild Card position. They enter Thursday's contest as -197 home favorites against a Red Wings team that defeated them 2-1 on Sunday.
Stolarz will get the nod for the tail-end of Toronto's back-to-back when they travel to Tampa Bay on Wednesday. Stolarz notched a fifth consecutive victory in his last start, stopping all 27 shots he faced in a 5-0 victory over the Blue Jackets on Saturday. Stolarz has appeared in 31 games in his first season as a Maple Leaf, posting an 18-8-3 record and an outstanding .922 SV%. He'll need to be at his best again on Wednesday, as the Maple Leafs enter action at +150 on the money line.
The Panthers, battling an influx of injuries, have lost five straight and hope to return to the win column on Tuesday, with Bobrovsky tending the twine against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Bobrovsky allowed three goals on 26 shots (.885 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the Maple Leafs last week. The 36-year-old netminder has a 2.44 GAA and .906 SV% in 51 games this season (31-18-2). The Panthers enter Tuesday's contest as -124 home favorites against a Maple Leafs team riding a four-game winning streak.
The Blue Jackets have been outscored 16-3 in their last three games (0-3-0), effectively removing them from the race for a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. Still, they will remain hopeful with Merzlikins between the pipes on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators. Merzlikins played well in a relief appearance against the Senators on Sunday, saving 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%) in a 4-0 loss. The 30-year-old goalie has a 3.20 GAA and .891 SV% in 52 games this season (25-21-5). The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest +105 home underdogs against a Senators team outscoring their opposition 9-1 during a three-game winning streak.
The Panthers, battling an influx of injuries, have lost five straight and hope to return to the win column on Tuesday, likely with Bobrovsky tending the twine against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Bobrovsky allowed three goals on 26 shots (.885 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the Maple Leafs last week. The 36-year-old netminder has a 2.44 GAA and .906 SV% in 51 games this season (31-18-2). The Panthers enter Tuesday's contest as -124 home favorites against a Maple Leafs team riding a four-game winning streak.
McCabe has not played since April 2nd due to an undisclosed injury and will likely miss at least two more games as he is not travelling with the team on their upcoming road trip. The 31-year-old McCabe is averaging 21:31 time-on-ice, recording 23 points (2G / 21A), 135 blocks, 118 hits, and a +23 plus/minus in 66 games this season.
The Panthers have lost three straight (0-2-1) and will have Bobrovsky tending the twine on the front end of a back-to-back, Saturday against the Ottawa Senators. Bobrovsky allowing three goals on 26 shots (.885 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 36-year-old goalie has a 2.45 GAA and .906 SV% in 50 games this season (31-17-2).
McCabe is battling an undisclosed ailment and will not play on Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 31-year-old McCabe is averaging 21:31 time-on-ice, recording 23 points (2G / 21A), 135 blocks, 118 hits, and a +23 plus/minus in 66 games this season.
With Jonathan Drouin (undisclosed) and Martin Necas (undisclosed) sidelined on Thursday, Jimmy Vesey and Miles Wood will draw into Colorado's lineup. The 29-year-old Wood is averaging 11:07 time-on-ice and has four points (2G / 2A) in 32 games this season.
The Blue Jackets remain within reach of the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference and will turn to Merzlikins between the pipes on Thursday against the Colorado Avalanche. Merzlikins has struggled lately, allowing 13 goals on 98 shots in his last three games (.867 SV%), but has received adequate goal support, pulling off a 3-0-0 record despite his less-than-stellar statistics. He has a 3.11 GAA and .894 SV% in 49 games this season (25-19-5). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as +123 home favorites against an Avalanche team coming off a 3-2 shootout win over the Chicago Blackhawks last night.
