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Columbus Blue Jackets News
Labanc will be a healthy scratch on Thursday vs. Buffalo.

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, but will serve as a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres. Justin Danforth will draw into the lineup as Labanc's replacement.

Kevin Labanc
Tarasov will start on Thursday vs. Buffalo.

With Elvis Merzlikins being given some time to rest and regroup, the Blue Jackets will turn to Trasov between the pipes on Thursday for his second start of the young season. Tarasov was unspectacular in his first start, allowing four goals on 30 shots (.867 SV%), but salvaged a 6-4 victory over the Colorado Avalanche. The Blue Jackets enter action on Thursday as +112 home underdogs against a Buffalo Sabres club that was defeated 6-5 in overtime against the Pittsburgh Penguins last night.

Daniil Tarasov
Greaves has been recalled from Cleveland (AHL) on an emergency basis.

Blue Jackets head coach Dean Evason stated that starting goalie Elvis Merzlikins needed a few days to rest and gather himself, resulting in the call-up of Greaves. 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%.

Jet Greaves
McCue (undisclosed) has been activated from the Injured/Non-Roster list and loaned to Cleveland (AHL).

McCue will begin the season with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) after being activated from Injured Reserve. The 21-year-old McCue was a fifth-round pick of the San Jose Sharks in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft and is making his professional debut this season after tallying 61 points (27G / 34A) in 62 games with the London Knights (OHL) in 2023-24.

Max McCue
Aston-Reese (upper-body) is expected to play on Tuesday vs. Florida.

Aston-Reese left Columbus' game vs. Colorado on Saturday after one shift and just 0:34 TOI due to an upper-body injury but is expected to return on Tuesday vs. Florida. The 29-year-old was claimed off of waivers a week ago from Vegas and is expected to be an everyday player in Columbus' lineup.

Zach Aston-Reese
Johnson will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday vs. Florida.

Johnson will serve as a healthy scratch on Tuesday and be 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.

Jack Johnson
Merzlikins will start on Tuesday vs. Florida.

The Blue Jackets have alternated netminder in their first two games but will turn back to Merzlikins between the pipes on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers. In his previous two seasons combined, Merzlikins has a horrid 3.77 GAA and .889 SV% in 71 appearances (20-35-10). That said, he played reasonably in his first outing this season, saving 23 of 26 shots (.885 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild. Columbus enters action on Tuesday as a +134 home underdog.

Elvis Merzlikins
Fischer (upper-body) is out Monday and considered day-to-day.

Detroit will be without their third line winger Christian Fischer on Monday due to an upper-body injury as they take on the New York Rangers. The 27-year-old is considered day-to-day and is not expected to take a trip to the IR. He is expected to be replaced by a seventh defensemen in the lineup or a call-up like Austin Watson.

Christian Fischer
Tarasov will start Saturday in Colorado.

Elvis Merzlikins started the Blue Jackets' season opener but Tarasov will start Saturday in Colorado. The Blue Jackets are massive underdogs (+275) tonight and Tarasov was a 4-5-2 with a 3.13 GAA and .902 SV% on the road last year. However, he was unbelievable in his only start against the Avalanche last year, stopping 45 of 46 shots in a win.

Daniil Tarasov
Merzlikins will start the Blue Jackets' season opener on Thursday in Minnesota.

The Blue Jackets will turn to Merzlikins in their season opener on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. After an outstanding rookie season in 2019-20, where he posted a 2.35 GAA, .923 SV%, and five shutouts in 33 games (13-9-8), Merzlikins' quality of play has tailed off significantly and has been borderline abysmal. In his last two seasons combined, Merzlikins has a horrid 3.77 GAA and .889 SV% in 71 appearances (20-35-10). The Blue Jackets enter action as +223 road underdogs against the Wild.

Elvis Merzlikins
Merzlikins is expected to start Columbus' season opener on Thursday in Minnesota.

The Blue Jackets will turn to Merzlikins in their season opener on Thursday against the Minnesota Wild. After an outstanding rookie season in 2019-20, where he posted a 2.35 GAA, .923 SV%, and five shutouts in 33 games (13-9-8), Merzlikins' quality of play has tailed off significantly and has been borderline abysmal. In his last two seasons combined, Merzlikins has a horrid 3.77 GAA and .889 SV% in 71 appearances (20-35-10). The Blue Jackets enter action as +223 road underdogs against the Wild.

Elvis Merzlikins