Fix-Wolansky has 16 points (4G / 12A) in 11 games with the Cleveland Monsters this season and 87 points (33G / 54A) in 72 games dating back to the beginning of the 2022-23 campaign. The seventh-round pick of the Blue Jackets in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft has yet to make his mark at the NHL level, scoring only three points (2G / 1A) in 15 career games, but could make his Blue Jackets season debut on Thursday.

Merzlikins will look for his first victory in five contests when he suits up as the starting goalie against the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday. Despite the Blue Jackets inability to provide ample goal support, Merzlikins has played fairly well of late, saving 132 of the last 146 shots he has faced (.904 SV%) in his last five games (1-2-1). The Blue Jackets are +109 home underdogs and will have their work cut out for them against a Coyotes team that has scored three or more goals in nine of their last 10 games (4-4-2).

Fix-Wolansky has 16 points (4G / 12A) in 11 games with the Cleveland Monsters this season and 87 points (33G / 54A) in 72 games dating back to the beginning of the 2022-23 campaign. The seventh-round pick of the Blue Jackets in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft has yet to make his mark at the NHL level, scoring only three points (2G / 1A) in 15 career games, but could make his Blue Jackets season debut on Thursday.

Merzlikins will return to the Blue Jackets' crease on Tuesday after playing very well in a losing effort on Sunday, allowing three goals on 40 shots (.925 SV%), eventually succumbing to the New York Rangers 4-3 in a shootout. Three of Merzlikins' last four starts have been high-quality performances, but has only managed a 1-1-1 record over that span, partially due to the Blue Jackets' lack of goal production (2.73 GF / GP). The Blue Jackets are +159 home underdogs against a Penguins team that is scorching hot, outscoring their opposition 20-5 during a four-game winning streak.

Merzlikins will likely return to the Blue Jackets crease on Tuesday after playing very well in a losing effort on Sunday, allowing three goals on 40 shots (.925 SV%), eventually succumbing to the New York Rangers 4-3 in a shootout. Three of Merzlikins' last four starts have been high-quality performances, but has only managed a 1-1-1 record over that span, partially due to the Blue Jackets' lack of goal production (2.73 GF / GP). The Blue Jackets are +159 home underdogs against a Penguins team that is scorching hot, outscoring their opposition 20-5 during a four-game winning streak.

Adam Boqvist seems to be the odd man out of the Blue Jackets lineup as Jiricek skated alongside Jake Bean at the team's morning skate on Tuesday. Jiricek last played for the Blue Jackets on November 4th, recording one assist and one shot in 12:06 time-on-ice. The 19-year-old Czech defender has three points (1G / 2A) in 10 games with the Blue Jackets this season.

Merzlikins will be back in action against the Rangers on Sunday for the first time since being pulled after allowing three goals on ten shots in Monday's game against the Panthers. The 29-year-old netminder owns an .897 SV%, a 3.20 GAA, and a 3-3-2 record across nine starts this season. He draws another difficult assignment on Sunday with the Blue Jackets coming into the game as +190 road underdogs.

Jiricek has been a healthy scratch for the last two games, so he heads back to the AHL to make room for Patrik Laine, who will return from an upper-body injury. Jiricek had one goal and two assists in 10 games with Columbus during his call-up.

Jiricek will watch the Blue Jackets' matchup against the Panthers from the press box on Monday as he will be a healthy scratch after playing 10 consecutive games. The 19-year-old Czech defenceman registered three points (1G / 2A) and 12 blocks while averaging a conservative 13:34 time-on-ice.

Merzlikins will start against the Florida Panthers on Monday, marking his fourth consecutive start for the Blue Jackets and seventh in their last eight games. Merzlikins is coming off back-to-back solid performances (1-1-0) in which he saved 52 of 56 shots on what has otherwise been a very inconsistent season. The Blue Jackets have struggled as a whole, ranking 28th offensively (2.55 GF / GP), leaving very little room for error for their netminders. As such, the Blue Jackets are +194 road underdogs against a Panthers team that is coming off a 5-2 loss at the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Olivier will likely slot back into the Blue Jackets' lineup as Emil Bemstrom is expected to be a healthy scratch. Olivier hasn't played since October 30th, but has six games under his belt this season, recording two points (0G / 2A) while averaging 9:12 time-on-ice. He is expected to skate on the third line with Yegor Chinakhov and Cole Sillinger.

Chinakhov missed the Blue Jackets first six games of the season due to a back strain and was sent to Cleveland (AHL) for a conditioning stint but will make his season debut Saturday vs. Washington. The 22-year-old right winger will be looking to build off his sophomore campaign, which saw him score four goals, nine assists, 44 SOG, 10 PIMs and a -6 plus/minus in 30 games in 2022-23.

Marzlikins was fantastic in his previous start as he stopped 27 of 29 shots (.931 SV%) no way to snapping a three-game losing streak and will take on Washington at home Saturday. The 29-year-old had a nightmarish 2022-23, but has bounced back so far this season with his 3-2-2 record, .902 SV% and 2.97 GAA. He'll take on the Washington Capitals, who just had a three-game winning streak snapped even though they are second last in the NHL in goals per game (1.89).

With Kent Johnson being reassigned to the AHL, Chinakhov will likely get a chance to make his season debut for the Blue Jackets. Chinakhov was the 21st overall pick in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft and had 13 points (4G / 9A) in 30 games with the Blue Jackets last season.

After scoring 40 points (16G / 24A) in 79 games as a rookie last season, Johnson has struggled to stay in the Blue Jackets lineup this season and has seen his time-on-ice drop from 14:31 to 12:50. He has been in and out of the lineup as a healthy scratch and how now been reassigned to the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL. He will likely be replaced by Yegor Chinakhov, who was recalled by the Blue Jackets on Friday.

Merzlikins will get the start on Thursday as he is desperate to snap his current three-game losing streak but will be hard-pressed to do so against the Tampa Bay Lightning. After posting a.920 SV% in his first three games (2-1-0), Merzlikins has struggled since, failing to record a victory (0-1-2) while posting a .875 SV%. The Blue Jackets are +139 home underdogs as the Lightning will be looking to rebound from a 4-3 overtime loss on Monday against the Seattle Kraken.