It appears Marchenko will sit for the first time this season on Saturday against the New York Islanders to make room for Kent Johnson. Marchenko has three points (0G / 3A) in seven games this season but zero points in his last five.
Johnson has been in and out of the lineup as a healthy scratch to start the season but appears that he will draw back in on Saturday against the New York Islanders. Johnson has two points (1G / 1A) while averaging 13:13 time-on-ice through five games. He will likely play on a line with Cole Sillinger and Justin Danforth.
Merzlinkins will man the crease for the third consecutive game, his fifth start of the season, on Thursday in Montreal. Merzlinkins has been reliable to start the season, donning a 2.69 GAA and .913 SV% in four games (2-1-1), but is coming off his weakest performance where he allowed three goals on 27 shots in a 3-2 loss to the Anaheim Ducks. The Blue Jackets are slight +102 road underdogs against a Canadiens team that is off to a 3-2-1 start this season.
Chinakhov had yet to appear this season for Columbus after missing most of training camp with a back injury but has been activated off the injured/Non-roster list and was loaned to Cleveland (AHL). The 22-year-old was Columbus' 2020 first-round pick (21st overall) and had four goals, nine assists, 44 SOG, 10 PIMs, and a -6 plus/minus.
Johnson has been in and out of the lineup to start the season and is expected to be a healthy scratch again on Thursday. The 21-year-old has two points (1G / 1A) in five games this season.
Voronkov had an assist, two PIMs, and a -1 plus/minus in four games with Cleveland (AHL) and has been recalled to Columbus amidst the news of Patrik Laine's injury. The 23-year-old forward was the Blue Jackets' 2019 fourth-round pick (114th overall) and is expected to make his NHL debut Thursday vs. Montreal.
Despite allowing four goals on 28 shots, Merzlinkins recorded his second win of the season on Saturday and will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks. Merzlinkins and the Blue Jackets are -146 home favourites against a Ducks team that is averaging a lowly 2.20 goals per game. The Blue Jackets will, however, be without their star forward Patrik Laine (upper-body).
Voronkov had an assist, two PIMs, and a -1 plus/minus in four games with Cleveland (AHL) and has been recalled to Columbus amidst the news of Patrik Laine's injury. The 23-year-old forward was the Blue Jackets' 2019 fourth-round pick (114th overall) and is expected to make his NHL debut Tuesday vs. Anaheim.
Merzlikins was expected to start Friday vs. Calgary but was pulled late as he was still dealing with an illness and is expected to start Saturday vs. Minnesota. The 29-year-old has had an incredible two starts so far in 2023-24, with his 1-1-0 record, .950 SV% and 1.84 GAA. He takes on the Minnesota Wild, who have lost two of their last three games but are eighth in the NHL in goals per game (3.5).
Merzlikins was expected to start Friday vs. Calgary but was pulled late as he was still dealing with an illness and is expected to start Saturday vs. Minnesota. The 29-year-old has had an incredible two starts so far in 2023-24, with his 1-1-0 record, .950 SV% and 1.84 GAA. He takes on the Minnesota Wild, who have lost two of their last three games but are eighth in the NHL in goals per game (3.5).
Werenski left the Blue Jackets' opening night game after just 13:43 TOI due to a hit from Garnet Hathaway and is expected to return Friday as Columbus hosts Calgary. The 26-year-old Blue Jackets' captain had his 2022-23 decimated by a torn labrum and separated shoulder which led to him collecting three goals and eight points in 13 total games. He will hope this season is not defined by injuries after missing two Blue Jackets' games thus far.
This is promising news for Werenski, who was injured in the Blue Jackets' season-opener after missing 69 games last season. Werenski was held pointless in 13:43 of ice time, but the talented 26-year-old has 79 goals since the 2016-17 season, eighth most amount defencemen despite playing at least 49 games fewer than everyone ranked above him. If Werenski can play, he will likely assume his duties on the Blue Jackets top powerplay unit immediately.
Greaves served as the backup to Spencer Martin on Monday after being called up on an emergency basis. This likely signifies that Elvis Merzlinkins (illness) is on the cusp of a return to the lineup.
Olivier had two PIMs, a -1 plus/minus and 12 shifts across 8:27 TOI in the Blue Jackets previous game vs. the Rangers but will be a healthy scratch Monday as they take on Detroit. The 26-year-old undrafted winger had his best career season in 2022-23 as he had five goals, 10 assists, 75 SOG, 81 PIMs and a -20 plus/minus in 66 games played. He will be replaced by Emil Bemstrom on Columbus' fourth line.
Jet Greaves has been called up from the AHL on an emergency basis as Merzlinkins continues to battle a stomach bug. Merzlinkins has played well in two games this season (1-1-0), recording a 1.84 GAA and .950 SV%. If Merzlinkins is indeed unable to play on Monday night, Spencer Martin will likely get his first start as a Blue Jacket.
Elvis Merzlinkins is currently battling a stomach illness and if he is unable to suit up on Monday against the Detroit Red Wings, Greaves will likely slide in as the backup for the Blue Jackets. Greaves played one game last season for the Blue Jackets, his NHL debut, where he saved 46 of 49 shots in a 4-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Aston-Reese was recently signed and started the season in Grand Rapids, where he was held off the scoresheet in his debut. He was recalled ahead of Saturday's game with Robby Fabbri out, but he is not expected to play vs. Tampa Bay.
