Merzlikins has taken a backseat to Jet Greaves in recent weeks, but the Latvian netminder will return to the crease on Monday against the New Jersey Devils. The 31-year-old Merzlikins has lost four straight contests (0-4-0), allowing three or more goals in each. The Blue Jackets rank mid-pack in the league defensively (3.28 GA/GP), but have struggled with Merzlikins, who has an ugly 3.55 GAA and .894 SV% in nine games this season (4-5-0). The Blue Jackets enter Monday's contest as +124 road underdogs against a Devils team that defeated them 3-2 earlier this season.

The Blue Jackets have hovered around .500 all season, yet to assert dominance, but have managed to stay in games despite losing six of their last 10 (4-2-4). Greaves played well for the Blue Jackets on Wednesday, saving 22 of 24 shots (.917 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs, and has become the go-to-guy between the pipes for the team. The 24-year-old goalie has a 2.74 GAA and .905 SV% in 15 games this season (7-4-4). The Blue Jackets enter Friday's contest as -132 home favorites against a Pittsburgh Penguins team that has lost seven of their last 10 (3-4-3).

Marchenko did not play on Monday and will miss a second straight game, day-to-day with a lower-body injury. The 25-year-old Marchenko has been terrific this season and his offense will be sorely missed. He has 22 points (8G / 14A) and 65 shots in 22 games this season.

Olivier only played six shifts in Monday's 5-1 loss to the Washington Capitals, exiting the game with an upper-body injury. The 28-year-old Olivier had 71 hits, 44 penalty minutes, and nine points (3G / 6A) in 23 games this season. He will not play on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Luca Pinelli will make his NHL debut on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs, sending Christiansen to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Christiansen is averaging 10:31 time-on-ice and has one assist in 19 games this season.

Pinelli was a fourth-round pick, 114th overall, by the Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old forward has yet to play an NHL game and has 10 points (5G / 5A) in 13 games with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) this season. Jake Christiansen will exit the lineup to accommodate Pinelli's debut.

Greaves has become the more-relied-upon option between the pipes for the Blue Jackets this season, and he will return to the crease on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 24-year-old goalie was excellent against the Maple Leafs in a 3-2 overtime win last week, saving 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%). He has a 2.80 GAA and .904 SV% in 14 games this season (7-4-3). The Blue Jackets enter Wednesday's contest as -120 home favorites against a struggling Maple Leafs team that has lost seven of its last eight games (1-4-3).

Werenski did not play in the third period of Monday's 5-1 loss to the Washington Capitals, exiting the game after 17:36 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The 28-year-old Werenski played in all but one game last season, but has battled injury concerns in recent years. That said, the team seems to have avoided a serious injury and are in the clear with their star blueliner, who has 21 points (7G / 14A) in 23 games this season.

Pinelli was a fourth-round pick, 114th overall, by the Blue Jackets in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old forward has yet to play an NHL game and has 10 points (5G / 5A) in 13 games with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) this season.

Smith has been playing with the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL this season and signed a two-way contract with the Blue Jackets earlier this week, adding some depth to their blueline. The 36-year-old defenseman spent the 2024-25 season as the seventh defenseman for the Dallas Stars, scoring six points (1G / 5A) in 32 games.

Mayo played one game for the Blue Jackets earlier this month, but he will return to a familiar place in the AHL with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL). The 29-year-old Mayo has four points (0G / 4A) in five games with Cleveland this season.

Werenski did not play in the third period of Monday's 5-1 loss to the Washington Capitals, exiting the game after 17:36 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The 28-year-old Werenski played in all but one game last season, but has battled injury concerns in recent years. That said, the team seems to have avoided a serious injury and are in the clear with their star blueliner, who has 21 points (7G / 14A) in 23 games this season.

Olivier only played six shifts in Monday's 5-1 loss to the Washington Capitals, exiting the game with an upper-body injury. The 28-year-old Olivier had 71 hits, 44 penalty minutes, and nine points (3G / 6A) in 23 games this season. The Blue Jackets should provide an update on Olivier before they return to action on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Werenski did not play in the third period of Monday's 5-1 loss to the Washington Capitals, exiting the game after 17:36 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The team has yet to provide an update on the status of their star blueliner, who has 21 points (7G / 14A) in 23 games this season. The 28-year-old Werenski played in all but one game last season, but has battled injury concerns in recent years.

Marchenko will be further evaluated after exiting the Blue Jackets' morning skate early on Monday with an upper-body injury and will not play in their game against the Washington Capitals. The 25-year-old Marchenko has been terrific this season and his offense will be sorely missed. He has 22 points (8G / 14A) and 65 shots in 22 games this season.

Smith has been playing with the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL this season and adds some depth to the Blue Jackets' blueline after signing a two-way contract. The 36-year-old defenseman spent the 2024-25 season as the seventh defenseman for the Dallas Stars, scoring six points (1G / 5A) in 32 games.

Marchenko will be further evaluated after exiting the Blue Jackets' morning skate early on Monday and is questionable for their game against the Washington Capitals. The 25-year-old Marchenko has been terrific this season, and his offense will be sorely missed if he is not able to suit up. He has 22 points (8G / 14A) and 65 shots in 22 games this season.

Merzlikins has taken a backseat to Jet Greaves in recent weeks, but he will return to the crease on Monday against the Washington Capitals. The 31-year-old Merzlikins has lost three straight (0-3-0), allowing 12 goals on 93 combined shots (.871 SV%). He has a 3.37 GAA and .900 SV% in eight games (4-4-0) and has not had a sub-3.00 GAA since the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season. The Blue Jackets enter Monday's action as +142 road underdogs against a Capitals team that has scored 18 goals in its last three games (2-1-0).