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Columbus Blue Jackets News
Merzlikins (upper-body) returned to practice in full on Monday.

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%.

Elvis Merzlikins
Johnson (upper-body) is without a timeline to return and expected to be out long-term.

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.

Kent Johnson
Wood (abdominal) is good to go for Friday vs. Anaheim after leaving last game due to injury.

Wood left Wednesday’s loss vs. Boston with an undisclosed injury after just 12:46 TOI but will return to the lineup on Friday against the Anaheim Ducks. A myriad of injuries for the Avalanche thrust Wood onto their top line alongside Logan O'Connor and Nathan MacKinnon, where he should return on Friday night.

Miles Wood
Chinakhov (undisclosed) is likely to play on Saturday vs. Minnesota.

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).

Yegor Chinakhov
Wood (arm) has a possibility to play on Friday vs. Anaheim.

Wood left Wednesday’s loss vs. Boston with an undisclosed injury after just 12:46 TOI but could return to the lineup on Friday against the Anaheim Ducks. A myriad of injuries for the Avalanche had thrust Wood onto their top line alongside Logan O'Connor and Nathan MacKinnon.

Miles Wood
Fedotov will start on Thursday in Seattle.

The Flyers are 1-1-1 to start the season, with their only regulation loss coming when Fedotov was in the crease. That said, the Flyers will return to Fedotov for the second time this season and hope he can redeem himself after a poor first performance when he allowed five goals on 31 shots (.839 SV%) in a 6-3 loss to the Calgary Flames. The 28-year-old Fedotov only has four games of NHL experience (0-2-1), with an ugly 5.01 GAA and .821 SV%. The Flyers enter action on Thursday as +120 road underdogs against the Seattle Kraken.

Ivan Fedotov
Wood (undisclosed) left Wednesday’s game vs. Boston and did not return.

Colorado’s list of key injuries continues to grow after Miles Wood left Wednesday’s loss vs. Boston with an undisclosed injury after just 12:46 TOI. Coach Jared Bednar did not have any updates in Colorado’s post-game press conference and confirm Wood was still being evaluated.

Miles Wood
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
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