The Blue Jackets playoff hopes are slim, but they need a victory to stay alive on Tuesday and will likely turn to Greaves between the pipes. Greaves has been excellent for the Blue Jackets lately, posting a stellar 1.00 GAA and .968 SV% in three April games (3-0-0). The 24-year-old goalie has a 2.22 GAA and .927 SV% in nine games (5-2-2). The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as -139 road favorites against a Philadelphia Flyers team with points in six of their last seven (5-1-1).

Christiansen exited Thursday's 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres after only 4:14 time-on-ice and will not play on Saturday against the Washington Capitals. The 25-year-old Christiansen is averaging 12:32 time-on-ice and has eight points (1G / 7A) in 68 games this season.

Merzlikins did not suit up on Thursday after exiting practice early and will miss at least one more game. The 30-year-old Merzlikins has a 3.18 GAA and .892 SV% in 53 games this season (26-21-5).

With Elvis Merzlikins (undisclosed) unavailable, the Blue Jackets will turn to Greaves for Thursday's game against the Sabres. Greaves has not appeared in an NHL game since March 17th, when he allowed two goals on 20 shots in a 2-1 loss to the Devils. The 23-year-old netminder has made 16 career starts across three seasons, posting a lowly 5-9-2 record despite an impressive .910 SV%. Greaves and the Blue Jackets enter action on Thursday at -140 on the money line.

Merzlikins was practicing in the starter's crease at the Blue Jackets' morning skate on Thursday, but has suffered an undisclosed injury and will not play against the Buffalo Sabres. The 30-year-old Merzlikins has a 3.18 GAA and .892 SV% in 53 games this season (26-21-5).

With Kirill Kaprizov and Joel Eriksson Ek returning from prolonged absences due to injuries, Minnesota has reassigned Brendan Gaunce and Devin Shore to the Iowa Wild (AHL). The 31-year-old Gaunce averaged 9:42 time-on-ice and scored one point (0G / 1A) in 12 games with Minnesota this season.

Jack Johnson will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators, allowing Christiansen to re-enter the lineup. The 25-year-old Christiansen has only played one game since March 13th. He is averaging 12:41 time-on-ice and has eight points (1G / 7A) in 66 games this season.

Zach Aston-Reese will draw back into Columbus' lineup on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators, sending Chinakhov to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 24-year-old Chinakhov is averaging 15:43 time-on-ice and has 15 points (7G / 8A) in 30 games this season. However, he has only one pint (0G / 1A) in nine games since return from an injury at the beginning of March.

Yegor Chinakhov will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators, allowing Aston-Reese to re-enter the lineup. The 30-year-old Aston-Reese is averaging 13:32 time-on-ice and has 16 points (5G / 11A) in 74 games this season.

The Blue Jackets have been outscored 16-3 in their last three games (0-3-0), effectively removing them from the race for a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. Still, they will remain hopeful with Merzlikins between the pipes on Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators. Merzlikins played well in a relief appearance against the Senators on Sunday, saving 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%) in a 4-0 loss. The 30-year-old goalie has a 3.20 GAA and .891 SV% in 52 games this season (25-21-5). The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest +105 home underdogs against a Senators team outscoring their opposition 9-1 during a three-game winning streak.