James van Riemsdyk was a healthy scratch for the first time this season in the Blue Jacket's previous contest but will return to the lineup on Tuesday, swapping places with Aston-Reese. The 30-year-old Aston-Reese has four points (2G / 2A) in 11 games and will be a healthy scratch for the first time this season.
After a 7-2 loss to the Washington Capitals in their previous outing, with Daniil Tarasov between the pipes, the Blue Jackets will switch back to Merzlikins in the crease for the fourth time in the previous five games. The 30-year-old Merzlikins has had an up-and-down 2024-25 campaign but has strung together some solid efforts, posting a 2.86 GAA and .907 SV% in five contests (2-3-0). The Blue Jackets enter the action on Tuesday as -123 road favorites against a San Jose Sharks club welcoming Macklin Celebrini back into the lineup.
Wood's initial prognosis after he suffered an upper-body injury was for a 7-10 day recovery period, which likely hasn't changed after being placed on Injured Reserve. In 10 games this season, Wood has one goal, a -2 plus/minus, and is averaging 13:40 time-on-ice.
Voronkov suffered an upper-body injury in the Blue Jackets' preseason finale and has missed the first nine games of the season. The 24-year-old had a productive first NHL season, scoring 18 goals, 34 points and 52 PIMs as a rookie in 75 games played in 2023-24.
The Blue Jackets will return to Merzlikins between the pipes for a third straight game on Friday. After not occupying the crease in four straight, Merzlikins has regained the faith of the Blue Jackets faithful after two incredible performances (2-0-0), saving a combined 57 of 58 shots (.983 SV%), including a 26-save shutout in his previous outing, a 2-0 win over the New York Islanders. That said, Merzlikins and the Blue Jackets will be hard-pressed to extend their winning streak to three games, entering Friday's contest against the 9-1-0 Winnipeg Jets as +160 home underdogs.
With no reason being given for his absence, Fabbro appears to be a healthy scratch. Marc Del Gaizo will draw into the lineup in his place.
Wood will not play on Wednesday and will be out of the lineup for 7-10 days, another in a myriad of injuries for the Avalanche, and will be replaced by freshly recalled T.J. Tynan. In 10 games this season, Wood has one goal, a -2 plus/minus, and is averaging 13:40 time-on-ice.
For the first time this season, the Blue Jackets will roll with Merzlikins between the pipes for consecutive games. After allowing seven goals on 48 shots (.854 SV%) in his first two contests, Merzlikins was tremendous in his third on Monday night, saving 31 of 32 shots (.969 SV%) in a 6-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers. The Blue Jackets enter the action on Wednesday as +130 home underdogs against a New York Islanders club that has only scored 22 goals in nine games this season, the third-fewest in the league.
Wood will not play on Wednesday, another in a myriad of injuries for the Avalanche, and will be replaced by freshly recalled T.J. Tynan. In 10 games this season, Wood has one goal, a -2 plus/minus, and is averaging 13:40 time-on-ice.
Merzlikins has not played since October 15th and is winless in two outings this season, posting an ugly 3.68 GAA and .854 SV%, but will likely return to the crease on Monday night against the Edmonton Oilers. In his previous two seasons combined, Merzlikins has a horrid 3.77 GAA and .889 SV% in 71 appearances (20-35-10), and the start of his 2024-25 campaign has not been promising for a resurgence. The Blue Jackets enter action on Monday as +212 home underdogs against the Oilers.
Merzlikins has not played since October 15th and is winless in two outings this season, posting an ugly 3.68 GAA and .854 SV%, but will likely return to the crease on Monday night against the Edmonton Oilers. In his previous two seasons combined, Merzlikins has a horrid 3.77 GAA and .889 SV% in 71 appearances (20-35-10), and the start of his 2024-25 campaign has not been promising for a resurgence. The Blue Jackets enter action on Monday as +212 home underdogs against the Oilers.
Despite not practicing on Saturday, Wood will be in the lineup on Sunday against the Ottawa Senators. In eight games this season, the 29-year-old Wood has one goal and six penalty minutes.
Fortunately for Johnson and the Blue Jackets, Johnson will not require surgery, the slimmest of silver linings on unfortunate injury news on the talented youngster. The 22-year-old Johnson was showing signs of a true breakout campaign with two goals and three assists in his first four games.
After suffering their fifth consecutive loss last night (0-4-1) at the hands of a 4-1 loss to the Washington Capitals, the Flyers will turn to Fedotov between the pipes in a rematch on Wednesday night. The Flyers will be desperate to return to the win column, but Fedotov's numbers thus far leave little to be hopeful for, showcasing an ugly 6.09 GAA and .818 SV% in two outings (0-2-0). The Flyers enter action on Wednesday as +121 road underdogs against the Capitals.
Lundestrom has not played since exiting last Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Utah Hockey Club after playing 11:18 time-on-ice, missing the last two contests. The 24-year-old Lundestrom has one point (1G / 0A) in three games this 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.
Lundestrom has not played since exiting last Wednesday's 5-4 win over the Utah Hockey Club after playing 11:18 time-on-ice, missing the last two contests. The 24-year-old Lundestrom has one point (1G / 0A) in three games this season.
