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Columbus Blue Jackets News

Elvis Merzlikins will start Saturday vs. Minnesota.

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).

Elvis Merzlikins
Elvis Merzlikins will start Saturday vs. Minnesota.

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).

Elvis Merzlikins
Zach Werenski (quadriceps) has been activated from the injured-reserve and is expected to return to the Blue Jackets' lineup Friday vs. Calgary.

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.

Zach Werenski
Zamula will be a healthy scratch for Thursday's game against the Oilers.

Zamula will sit for the second time this season despite an impressive offensive output through his first two games. He has registered a goal and an assist to go along with four shots on goal despite the fact that he's been limited to an ATOI of 14:40. Emil Andrae will draw into the lineup in his place.

Egor Zamula
Egor Zamula will be a healthy scratch Thursday vs. Edmonton.

Zamula scored the Flyers' game-winning goal in Tuesday's victory over Vancouver but will be the odd man out as he is a healthy scratch Thursday vs. Edmonton. The 23-year-old had a goal, an assist, four SOG, and a +3 plus/minus through two games so far in 2023-24. He will be replaced by Emil Andrea on the Flyers' third defensive pair.

Egor Zamula
Zach Werenski (knee) took part in drills at practice and is a game-time decision Friday vs. Philadelphia.

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.

Zach Werenski
Egor Zamula will draw back into the Flyers' lineup Tuesday vs. Vancouver.

Zamula was a healthy scratch for the Flyers' previous game but will draw back into the lineup vs. Vancouver Tuesday. The 23-year-old has an assist, one SOG, and a +2 plus/minus in a productive 21 shifts and 13:49 TOI in his only game played so far in 2023-24. He will replace Emil Andrea on the Flyers' third defensive pair.

Egor Zamula
Mathieu Olivier will be a healthy scratch Monday vs. Detroit.

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.

Mathieu Olivier
Elvis Merzlikins (stomach bug) is questionable to dress vs. Detroit Monday.

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 Merzlikins
Columbus have added Jet Greaves on an emergency recall from Cleveland (AHL).

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.

Jet Greaves
Johnson will draw into the Blue Jackets' lineup on Saturday.

Johnson was a healthy scratch in the Blue Jackets' season opening loss but will play Saturday vs. the Rangers. It's not clear who Johnson will replace in the lineup, but based on Friday's practice lines, it appears to be Jack Roslovic. Johnson had a strong rookie season, scoring 16 goals with 24 assists (40 points) in 79 games.

Kent Johnson