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Columbus Blue Jackets News

Nichushkin is progressing from his lower-body injury but will not attend Colorado's upcoming three-game road trip.

Originally slated to return on Colorado's upcoming three-game road trip, Nichushkin has been ruled out for those games by head coach Jared Bednar. Nichushkin has not played since suffering the injury on New Year's Eve against the Jets. The 29-year-old winger has 11 goals and six assists in 21 games this season.

Valeri Nichushkin
Merzlikins will start in Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

The Blue Jackets have won two of their last three (2-1-0) and will roll with Merzlikins between the pipes on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Merzlikins allowed four goals on 33 shots (.879 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 5-4 win over the St. Louis Blues. The 30-year-old netminder has a 3.18 GAA and .888 SV% in 26 games this season (13-10-3). The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as +133 road underdogs against a Penguins club they defeated 6-2 on November 15th.

Elvis Merzlikins
Merzlikins is in the starter's crease at Columbus' morning skate.

The Blue Jackets have won two of their last three (2-1-0) and will likely roll with Merzlikins between the pipes on Tuesday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Merzlikins allowed four goals on 33 shots (.879 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 5-4 win over the St. Louis Blues. The 30-year-old netminder has a 3.18 GAA and .888 SV% in 26 games this season (13-10-3). The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as +133 road underdogs against a Penguins club they defeated 6-2 on November 15th.

Elvis Merzlikins
Nichushkin (lower-body) is expected to make his return to the Avalanche lineup during their upcoming road trip.

The Avalanche travel to Chicago, Minnesota, and Winnipeg on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday respectively, meaning Nichushkin should return by the weekend at the latest. Nichushkin has not played since suffering the injury on New Year's Eve against the Jets. The 29-year-old winger has 11 goals and six assists in 21 games this season.

Valeri Nichushkin
Merzlikins will start against the Red Wings on Thursday.

The Blue Jackets have won three of their last four (3-1-0) and will roll with Merzlikins between the pipes on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. Merzlikins was solid in his most recent outing, saving 32 of 35 shots (.914 SV%) in a 4-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. The 30-year-old netminder has a 3.07 GAA and .891 SV% in 24 games this season (12-9-3). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as -123 home favorites against a Red Wings club outscoring their opposition 8-4 during a two-game winning streak.

Elvis Merzlikins
Nichuskin (lower-body) is out on Thursday vs. Buffalo and is considered day-to-day.

Nichushkin exited Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets in the second period after only 11:54 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury. The 29-year-old Nichushkin has played well since debuting in November, scoring 17 points (11G / 6A) in his last 18 games. His next chance to return to the lineup will be on Saturday against the Montreal Canadiens but he is expected to miss 7-10 days so that looks unlikely.

Valeri Nichushkin
Merzlikins is in the starter's crease at Columbus' morning skate.

The Blue Jackets have won three of their last four (3-1-0) and will roll with Merzlikins between the pipes on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. Merzlikins was solid in his most recent outing, saving 32 of 35 shots (.914 SV%) in a 4-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. The 30-year-old netminder has a 3.07 GAA and .891 SV% in 24 games this season (12-9-3). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as -123 home favorites against a Red Wings club outscoring their opposition 8-4 during a two-game winning streak.

Elvis Merzlikins
Nichushkin left Tuesday’s game vs. Winnipeg with a lower-body injury and did not return.

Nichushkin exited Tuesday's 5-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets in the second period after only 11:54 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury. The 29-year-old Nichushkin has played well since debuting in November, scoring 17 points (11G / 6A) in his last 18 games. Colorado will likely provide an update on Nichushkin before they return to the ice on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres.

Valeri Nichushkin
Merzlikins will start vs. Carolina on Tuesday.

The Blue Jackets are coming off a 4-0 loss to the Boston Bruins and will revert to Merzlikins between the pipes on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. Merzlikins was solid in his previous outing, saving 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the Bruins. He has a 3.09 GAA and .890 SV% in 23 games this season (11-9-3) and has not finished a season with a record above .500 since the 2021-22 campaign. The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as +188 home underdogs against a Hurricanes club that defeated them 4-1 two weeks ago.

Elvis Merzlikins
Merzlikins will start vs. Boston on Friday.

Merzlikins was battling an undisclosed injury, preventing him from playing the Blue Jackets' previous game, but he appears no worse for wear and will return to the crease on Friday against the Boston Bruins. Merzlikins allowed five goals on 30 shots (.833 SV%) in his previous outing, a 5-4 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. He has a 3.13 GAA and .889 SV% in 22 games this season (10-9-3). The Blue Jackets enter Friday's contest as +141 home underdogs against a Bruins club they will play again on Saturday.

Elvis Merzlikins
Fabbro (lower-body) will play against the Canadiens on Monday.

Fabbro exited Tuesday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning early in the second period after a knee-on-knee collision with Conor Geekie and has not played since. The 26-year-old defenseman is averaging 19:19 time-on-ice and has seven points (3G / 4A) in 24 games this season.

Dante Fabbro
Werenski (lower-body) will play against the Canadiens on Monday.

Despite battling a lower-body injury, Werenski still played a whopping 27:32 time-on-ice in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. The 27-year-old Werenski has been incredible this season, pacing for career bests in all offensive categories, scoring 32 points (11G / 21A) and averaging a career-high 26:26 in 34 games.

Zach Werenski
Severson is listed as a scratch for Monday's game against the Canadiens.

Severson was a surprise scratch on Monday, with his absence not being announced prior to warmups. Severson did take part in the team's morning skate and stayed on for extra work, which suggests he may be a healthy scratch. Denton Mateychuk will draw into the lineup and make his NHL debut in place of Severson.

Damon Severson
The Blue Jackets have loaned James Malatesta to Cleveland (AHL).

James Malatesta has been sent down to Cleveland (AHL) after making his season debut with Columbus. Malatesta was a fifth-round pick, 133rd overall, of the Blue Jackets in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He has 12 points (6G / 6A) in 25 games with Cleveland (AHL) this season. In a corresponding move, the Blue Jackets recalled Denton Mateychuk from Cleveland.

James Malatesta
The Blue Jackets recalled Denton Mateychuk from Cleveland (AHL) on Sunday.

Mateychuk was the 12th overall pick of the Blue Jackets in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old defenseman has yet to play and NHL game. He has 25 points (9G / 16A) in 27 games with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) this season. In a corresponding move, the Blue Jackets have loaned James Malatesta to Cleveland.

Denton Mateychuk
Werenski (lower-body) will be a game-time decision vs. Montreal on Monday.

Despite battling a lower-body injury, Werenski still played a whopping 27:32 time-on-ice in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. The 27-year-old Werenski has been incredible this season, pacing for career bests in all offensive categories, scoring 32 points (11G / 21A) and averaging a career-high 26:26 in 34 games.

Zach Werenski