Werenski left Thursday's game with an upper-body injury, and head coach Brad Larsen said that "it's not going to be good at all." This is obviously a massive blow for the Blue Jackets, who are already without Adam Boqvist on the blueline and Jakub Voracek up front.
Nichuskin will undergo ankle surgery and is expected to miss 4-6 weeks after missing the Avalanches' last four games. This is a terrible loss for the 27-year-old, who was enjoying the best season of his career to date prior to the injury, scoring seven goals and 12 points in his first seven games played.
Nichuskin has missed the Avalanche's last two games due to a lower-body injury but was on the ice for warmups Friday in Finland before heading off prematurely. He is now announced out for Friday's game and will be reevaluated before their second game Saturday. He shares the Avalanche lead in points alongside Nathan MacKinnon with 12 points (7G/5A) in seven games.
Nichushkin has missed the last two games with a lower-body injury but was skating on the top line and top power-play unit in Thursday's practice. Head coach Jared Bednar called him a game-time decision, so monitor his status as the Avalanche hit the ice in Finland at 1:30 PM ET.
Nichuskin will not dress Friday vs. the Devils after head coach Jared Bednar announced he is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. It is a huge blow for the Avalanche who will now be without their top goal and point scorer as Nichuskin had seven goals and five assists through his first seven games to start 2022-23.
Olivier has one assist and seven PIMs in eight games played to start 2022-23 prior to heading to the press box as the odd man out of the Blue Jackets' lineup. Liam Foudy will take his place Friday.
Merzlikins stopped five of six shots (.833 SV%) his last time out taking the crease as he came in as relief in a 6-3 loss to Arizona Tuesday. Merzlikins has struggled to find his footing this season, posting a .863 SV% and 4.06 GAA through five starts. He draws the task of taking on a surging Boston Bruins team that is coming off a 5-1 victory last night over the Detroit Red Wings to continue their four-game winning streak and move their record to 7-1-0.
Garland was a surprise healthy scratch on Tuesday but is expected to be back in the lineup on Thursday. Garland will replace Nils Hoglander.
Elvis will draw his third start of the season after stopping 32 of 35 shots in an overtime win over the Vancouver Canucks Tuesday. After missing Columbus' first two games due to injury, he has struggled in his two starts going 1-0-1 with a 3.90 GAA and .867 SV%. He faces the struggling Predators who have dropped their last three contest.
Elvis Merzlikins will draw his second start of the season as the winless Columbus Blue Jackets host the Vancouver Canucks in the battle of zero-win teams. After missing the first two games of 2022-23 due to illness, Merzlikins was shelled in his return to action allowing five goals on 25 shots in a 5-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues. He will hope to right the ship and get Columbus into the win column for the first time in four games.
Merzlikins will get his first start of 2022-23 after missing Columbus’ opening two matchups due to illness. The 28-year-old had his worst of his three seasons in 2021-22, posting a .907 SV% alongside his high 3.22 GAA. He will look to bounce back this season as the Blue Jackets take on St. Louis on the road Saturday.
With Elvis Merzlikins out, the Blue Jackets sent Johnson to the AHL to make room to call-up Jet Greaves to serve as the backup in Carolina.
Elvis Merzlikins is sick and will not be available for the Blue Jackets' season opener, so Greaves will serve as Danill Tarasov's backup in Carolina. Greaves was 12-12-2 with a 2.84 GAA and .905 SV% in the AHL last season.
Merzlikins will miss the Blue Jackets' season opener in Carolina with an illness. With Merzlikins out, Danill Tarasov will get the start, and Jet Greaves was recalled to be the backup.
