With Jimmy Vesey making his Colorado debut on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks, Wood will be the odd-man out of the lineup as a healthy scratch. The 29-year-old Wood is averaging 11:22 time-on-ice and has four points (2G / 2A) in 28 games this season.
Despite a 6-2 loss where Merzlikins allowed five goals on 39 shots (.872 SV%) in their most recent outing, the Blue Jackets will roll with him between the pipes again as they continue their push for a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. The 30-year-old Latvian netminder has a 3.33 GAA and .904 SV% in his last six games (3-2-1). The Blue Jackets enter the action on Thursday as sizeable +244 road underdogs against a Florida Panthers club on a four-game winning streak.
Olivier has impressed in his third season with the Blue Jackets, averaging a career-high 14:26 time-on-ice and scoring a career-high 21 points (12G / 9A) through only 61 games this season. He has become a staple on the team's third line, collecting 232 hits, the second most in the NHL.
With Yegor Chinakhov (upper body) expected to return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Pyyhtia will be the odd-man out as a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Pyyhtia is averaging 12:06 time-on-ice and has seven points (4G / 3A) in 47 games this season.
The Blue Jackets have won four straight and will roll with Merzlikins between the pipes on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Merzlikins was terrific in his most recent outing, saving 43 of 46 shots (.935 SV%) in a 5-3 win over the Detroit Red Wings. The 30-year-old Merzlikins has a 2.96 GAA and .897 SV% in 40 games this season (22-14-4). The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as +141 road underdogs against a Lightning squad whose eight-game winning streak snapped last night in a 2-1 loss to the Florida Panthers.
Sillinger exited Thursday's 5-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings in the first period after only 2:54 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The 21-year-old Sillinger has 29 points (9G / 20A) and 62 hits in 54 games this season.
Cole Sillinger suffered an upper-body injury in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings, resulting in the Blue Jackets recalled Pyyhtia from the Cleveland Monsters (AHL). The 23-year-old Pyyhtia has seven points (4G / 3A) in 46 games with the Blue Jackets this season.
Sillinger exited Thursday's 5-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings in the first period after only 2:54 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The 21-year-old Sillinger has 29 points (9G / 20A) and 62 hits in 54 games this season.
Nichushkin has not played since suffering a lower-body injury on December 31st. The 29-year-old forward originally was not supposed to be out long-term but suffered a setback, keeping him sidelined for the previous 21 games. Nichushkin has been effective when in the lineup but has had trouble staying healthy, failing to play more than 65 games in each of his previous six seasons. He has 17 points (11G / 6A) in 21 games this season.
The Blue Jackets snapped a four-game losing skid in their most recent contest, a 5-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks when Merzlikins saved 27 of 28 shots (.964 SV%). The 30-year-old Merzlikins returns to the crease on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars, looking to improve his 2.94 GAA and .897 SV% through 38 games this season (20-14-4). The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as +154 home underdogs against a Stars squad with points in nine of their last 10 (8-1-1).
Nichushkin has not played since suffering a lower-body injury on December 31st. The 29-year-old forward originally was not supposed to be out long-term but suffered a setback, keeping him sidelined for the previous 19 games. Nichushkin has been effective when in the lineup but has had trouble staying healthy, failing to play more than 65 games in each of his previous six seasons. He has 17 points (11G / 6A) in 21 games this season. His next chance to return to the lineup will be when Colorado returns home to host the New Jersey Devils on February 26th.
Marchenko's jaw broke at the beginning of February when an arrant puck hit him while he was sitting on the bench. Most players typically take six to eight weeks before returning from a broken jaw, so his presence at practice this week and activation from IR is welcoming and surprising. Before his injury, the 24-year-old Marchenko was having a breakout season, scoring 55 points (21G / 34A) in 53 games.
Sillinger made his NHL debut earlier this season but spent most of the season in the AHL. The 27-year-old forward had 29 points (11G / 18A) in 44 games with the Cleveland Monsters this season.
Nichushkin has not played since suffering a lower-body injury on December 31st. The 29-year-old forward originally was not supposed to be out long-term but suffered a setback, keeping him sidelined for the previous 19 games. Nichushkin has been effective when in the lineup but has had trouble staying healthy, failing to play more than 65 games in each of his previous six seasons. He has 17 points (11G / 6A) in 21 games this season.
Fabbro did not play the previous three games for the Blue Jackets due to an upper-body injury but is expected to return to action on Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 26-year-old Fabbro is averaging 20:22 time-on-ice, recording 13 points (4G / 9A), 96 blocks, and 44 hits in 37 games this season.
Marchenko's jaw broke at the beginning of February when an arrant puck hit him while he was sitting on the bench. Most players typically take six to eight weeks before returning from a broken jaw, so his presence at practice on Wednesday was welcoming and surprising. Before his injury, the 24-year-old Marchenko was having a breakout season, scoring 55 points (21G / 34A) in 53 games.
