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Columbus Blue Jackets News
Erik Gudbranson is set to return from his one game suspension Saturday vs. New Jersey.

Gudbranson was suspended one game for being the aggressor in his altercation with Nick Cousins of the Florida Panthers. Gudbranson did not play on Thursday but will return to the Blue Jackets lineup on Saturday against the New Jersey Devils. Gudbranson has 10 points (2G / 8A), 23 hits, and 66 blocks while averaging 19:34 time-on-ice through 27 games this season.

Erik Gudbranson
Elvis Merzlikins (illness) has been activated off the Injured Reserve and will start Thursday in Toronto.

Merzlikins has not played since December 5th, when he was placed on injured reserve with an illness but participated in morning skate on Thursday and will start for the Blue Jackets after being activated from IR. Before being placed on IR, Merzlikins was playing his best hockey of the season, posting a .930 SV% during a 3-2-1 stretch. The Blue Jackets are sizeable +211 road underdogs against the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have collected at least a point in seven straight contests (5-0-2).

Elvis Merzlikins
Elvis Merzlikins (illness) is expected to be activated from the Injured Reserve and start Thursday in Toronto.

Merzlikins has not played since December 5th, when he was placed on injured reserve with an illness but participated in morning skate on Thursday and will likely start for the Blue Jackets after being activated from IR. Before being placed on IR, Merzlikins was playing his best hockey of the season, posting a .930 SV% during a 3-2-1 stretch. The Blue Jackets are sizeable +211 road underdogs against the Toronto Maple Leafs, who have collected at least a point in seven straight contests (5-0-2).

Elvis Merzlikins
Daemon Hunt has been recalled from Iowa (AHL).

Hunt had a goal, eight assists, nine PIMs and a +3 plus/minus in 14 games with Iowa (AHL) and has been recalled to Minnesota Wednesday. The 21-year-old defensemen was Minnesota's 2020 3rd round pick and made his first NHL appearance earlier this season, appearing in five games with no points while averaging 8:36 TOI.

Daemon Hunt
Gudbranson has been suspended one game for being the aggressor in his altercation with Nick Cousins of the Florida Panthers.

The incident occurred in Sunday's game between the Panthers and Blue Jackets after Cousins was penalized for boarding Gudbranson earlier in the game. Gudbranson will miss Thursday's game against the Leafs as a result and will be eligible to return for Saturday's game against the Devils.

Erik Gudbranson
Zach Aston-Reese has been recalled from the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL).

Aston-Reese and Austin Czarnik have both been recalled from Grand Rapids of the AHL for a Red Wings team that is suddenly experiencing a myriad of injuries, most notably with Dylan Larkin (upper-body) and J.T. Compher (soreness) on the injured reserve. Aston-Reese has not played with the Red Wings yet this season but has seven points (4G / 3A) in 20 games with Grand Rapids.

Zach Aston-Reese
Jet Greaves has been reassigned to Cleveland (AHL).

With Elvis Merzlikins unable to play due to an illness, Greaves was forced to play on the back end of a back-to-back on Friday and was rewarded another start on Sunday after a strong performance. In two games (1-1-), the 22-year-old Greaves saved 72 of 77 shots (.935 SV%) and posted a 2.52 GAA. He will now return to the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL as Columbus has recalled Daniil Tarasov.

Jet Greaves
Daniil Tarasov has been recalled from a conditioning assignment from Cleveland (AHL) Monday.

Jet Greaves has been reassigned to the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL, allowing Columbus to recall Tarasov after a conditioning stint in the AHL. Tarasov posted a 2.57 GAA and .915 SV% in four games (2-1-0) with Cleveland and will likely serve as the backup to Spencer Martin until Elvis Merzlikins (illness) is ready to return to the lineup.

Daniil Tarasov
Jet Greaves will start Friday vs. St. Louis.

Greaves has yet to appear in an NHL game this season but had a respectable 9-3-0 record, 3.09 GAA and .899 SV% with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) prior to his call up and will take on St. Louis Friday. The 22-year-old undrafted goaltender has only appeared in one other NHL game, picking up the loss while posting a .939 SV% and a 3.05 GAA. He will hope to pick up his first career win Friday as the Blue Jackets host the Blues, who have lost four of their last seven games and are 24th in the NHL in goals per game (2.88).

Jet Greaves
Erik Gudbranson (illness) will be out Thursday vs. the Islanders.

Andrew Peeke will fill in for Gudbranson again as he will miss his second consecutive game. Gudbranson has played 26 games for the Blue Jackets this season, scoring nine points (2G / 7A), averaging 19:47 time-on-ice, and registering a -11 plus/minus.

Erik Gudbranson