Harris is expected to draw back into Columbus' lineup on Saturday in Nashville. Harris did not play in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs but will return to the lineup on Saturday for his fourth game of the season.
Gudbranson was placed on IR earlier in the week and underwent successful shoulder surgery on Monday but is without a timetable to return. The 32-year-old is in his 14th NHL season and third with Columbus but had failed to pick up a point in three games prior to his injury.
After playing their last contest with seven defensemen, the Blue Jackets will return to the traditional 12-6 formation as Kevin Labanc will draw into the lineup in favor of Harris. Harris played the last three games for the Blue Jackets, recording a -1 plus/minus, four penalty minutes, two shots, and one hit.
The Blue Jackets will return to the traditional 12-6 formation on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs as Labanc will draw back into the lineup and Jordan Harris will be a healthy scratch. Labanc was signed by the Blue Jackets prior to the start of the season and has added some offensive contributions, tallying two points (0G / 2A) in three games.
Elvis Merzlikins (upper body) is back with the Blue Jackets, but the team will turn to Tarasov between the pipes for a third straight game on Tuesday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite a pedestrian 3.70 GAA and .875 SV%, Tarasov has been serviceable between the pipes for the Blue Jackets, helping them post a 2-1-0 record when he has been in goal. That said, the Blue Jackets enter action as sizeable +194 road underdogs against a Maple Leafs club that defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2 last night.
Elvis Merzlikins (upper body) is back with the Blue Jackets, but the team will turn to Tarasov between the pipes for a third straight game on Tuesday night against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Despite a pedestrian 3.70 GAA and .875 SV%, Tarasov has been serviceable between the pipes for the Blue Jackets, helping them post a 2-1-0 record when he has been in goal. That said, the Blue Jackets enter action as sizeable +194 road underdogs against a Maple Leafs club that defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2 last night.
Elvis Merzlikins (upper-body) returned to practice on Monday and, as expected, Greaves has been reassigned to the Cleveland Monsters (AHL). The 23-year-old Greaves played nine games with the Blue Jackets last season (3-6-0), posting a 3.49 GAA and .908 SV%.
Merzlikins has not dressed for the last two games, recovering from an upper-body injury, but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup after being a full participant at practice on Monday. In his previous two seasons combined, Merzlikins has a horrid 3.77 GAA and .889 SV% in 71 appearances (20-35-10). Through two starts this season, Merzlikins is showcasing similar results, posting a 0-2-0 record with a 3.68 GAA and .854 SV%.
Johnson left Columbus' previous game vs. Buffalo after just 6:26 TOI due to an upper-body injury and is now expected to miss some time after head coach Dean Evason stated "it's not short-term" in regards to his return. It is unfortunate news for the 22-year-old, who was showing signs of a true breakout campaign with two goals, five points and eight SOG in his first four games played.
Chinakhov is battling an undisclosed ailment but isn't expected to miss anytime, continuing his torrid start to the 2024-25 season. The 23-year-old Chinakhov is averaging 18:44 time-on-ice through four games this season, nearly four minutes more than last season, and has tallied six points (2G / 4A).
Hunt being recalled likely indicates that Jared Spurgeon (lower body) will not be ready to return to Minnesota's lineup on Saturday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 22-year-old Hunt has played one game with Minnesota this season, tallying 8:01 time-on-ice and two shots on goal.
Johnson suffered the injury after colliding with teammate James van Riemsdyk in the second period of Thursday's game and did not return. We should expect to receive an update on the injury prior to Columbus' game against the Wild on Saturday.
Gambrell spent the entire 2024 season with the Toronto Marlies (AHL), scoring 14 goals with 22 assists (36 points) in 66 games. He signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Blue Jackets in the offseason. The 27-year-old has plenty of NHL experience, playing 233 career games for the Sharks and Senators.
Fischer did not play on Monday and was replaced by Austin Watson but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the New York Rangers. In two games with Detroit this season, Fischer is averaging 9:02 time-on-ice and has a -1 plus/minus rating.
Kevin Labanc will watch Thursday's contest against the Buffalo Sabres from the press box as a healthy scratch, allowing Danforth to make his season debut. The 31-year-old Danforth played a career-high 71 games last season, scoring 26 points (10G / 16A).
Johnson was a healthy scratch on Tuesday and was replaced in the lineup by Jordan Harris. Johnson, in his 19th NHL season, played the first two games for the Blue Jackets, his second stint with the team, averaging 14:43 time-on-ice while recording one block and two hits.
