Columbus Blue Jackets News

The Blue Jackets are desperate to stay within playoff contention, but have lost four straight (0-3-1) and will hope for a better result on Thursday when they turn to Merzlikins to tend the twine against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 31-year-old Latvian goalie was solid in his previous outing, saving 33 of 36 shots (.917 SV%), but did not receive ample goal support in a 3-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks. Merzlikins has had an up-and-down season, but has allowed three or fewer goals in four straight games (2-1-1). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as +163 road underdogs against a Hurricanes team that defeated them 5-2 earlier this week.

With Mathieu Olivier (upper body) out week-to-week, Johnson will return to the lineup. The 23-year-old Johnson has 21 points (7G / 14A) in 69 games this season, but was a healthy scratch in Columbus' previous game, likely a result of only scoring three points (1G / 2A) in his last 16 games.

Greaves played well in his most recent outing, saving 36 of 39 shots (.923 SV%), but allowed three unanswered goals in the third period of an eventual 4-3 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins. The 25-year-old Greaves has been exceptional in guiding the Blue Jackets into playoff contention, but they will need him at his best in the final weeks of the season in an ultra-tight Eastern Conference playoff race. In March, Greaves has a 2.20 GAA and a .916 SV% in 10 games (6-2-2). The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as +116 home underdogs against a Carolina Hurricanes team they defeated 5-1 two weeks ago.

Olivier exited Sunday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins early in the game after only 3:06 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The 29-year-old hard-hitting forward exited the game after a fight, adding to his team-leading 101 penalty minutes.

Greaves played well in his most recent outing, saving 36 of 39 shots (.923 SV%), but allowed three unanswered goals in the third period of an eventual 4-3 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins. The 25-year-old Greaves has been exceptional in guiding the Blue Jackets into playoff contention, but they will need him at his best in the final weeks of the season in an ultra-tight Eastern Conference playoff race. In March, Greaves has a 2.20 GAA and a .916 SV% in 10 games (6-2-2). The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as +116 home underdogs against a Carolina Hurricanes team they defeated 5-1 two weeks ago.

Olivier exited Sunday's 4-3 shootout loss to the Boston Bruins early in the game after only 3:06 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The 29-year-old hard-hitting forward exited the game after a fight, adding to his team-leading 101 penalty minutes. Olivier's status remains unclear, but an update should be provided before Columbus returns to action on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes.