Merzlikins was terrific against the New York Rangers on Sunday, saving 38 of 40 shots (.950 SV%) in a 4-2 victory, and will return to the crease in a rematch on Wednesday night. The Latvian netminder has a 3-2-0 record and a .920 SV% in his last five starts (3-2-0) while allowing three or fewer goals in all but one contest. That said, Merzlikins and the Blue Jackets are significant +211 road underdogs heading into action on Wednesday night.

Fasching has been out of the lineup since before the All-Star break and has been reassigned to Bridgeport (AHL) for conditioning. The depth right-winger has struggled offensively with the Islanders this season, with three goals, eight points, 30 SOG and a -8 plus/minus in 35 games played.

Fasching has been out of the lineup since before the All-Star break and will remain out for at least several more days after being placed on LTIR. The depth right-winger has struggled offensively with the Islanders this season, with three goals, eight points, 30 SOG and a -8 plus/minus in 35 games played.

Emil Bemstrom will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Olivier to re-enter the lineup. Over his last four games, Olivier has recorded zero points but is averaging four hits per contest.

Merzlikins will tend the twine for the Blue Jackets on Tuesday, his third start in their last four games. The Latvian netminder has won two of his last three outings (2-1-0) and saved 28 of 31 shots (.903 SV%) on Saturday in a 4-3 win over the San Jose Sharks. That said, the Blue Jackets are sizeable +215 road underdogs on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Kings.

Chinakhov missed the Blue Jackets' previous game due to an upper-body injury but will draw back into the lineup Saturday as they take on San Jose. The 23-year-old third-year player is in the midst of a breakout campaign, with 14 goals, 10 assists, 82 SOG, six PIMs and a -3 plus/minus through 40 games before his injury.

Smith missed the Devils' previous 10 games due to a knee injury but was activated from Injured Reserve and is available on Tuesday vs. Nashville. The 35-year-old hybrid defencemen will make a welcome addition to the Devils' blueline with his one goal, four assists, 31 SOG, and 47 PIMs. Santeri Hatakka was reassigned to Utica (AHL) in a corresponding move.

Chinakhov played only 8:40 time-on-ice before exiting Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning with an upper-body injury. He will not play on Tuesday but could return on Saturday against the San Jose Sharks. The 23-year-old Chinakhov is enjoying his best season, scoring 24 points (14G / 10A) in 40 games thus far.

Smith was placed on the Injured Reserve retroactive to January 15th Thursday so that the Devils' could open up cap space to recall Santeria Hatakka. The 34-year-old Smith is nearing a return to the lineup after participating at practice on Friday but is still considered day-to-day and will be out Saturday. He has five points (1G/4A) in 34 games played so far in 2023-24.

Monahan will center a second line for the Jets with Cole Perfetti and Nikolaj Ehlers and is expected to be on the top powerplay unit as well. The 29-year-old centre had 13 goals and 22 assists (35 points) in 49 games with the Montreal Canadiens before being traded to Winnipeg last week.

Fasching returned from the All-Star break with some unfortunate news as the 28-year-old is day-to-day with a lower-body injury and is not expected to suit up on Monday vs. Toronto. The depth right-winger has struggled offensively with the Islanders this season, with three goals, eight points, 30 SOG and a -8 plus/minus in 35 games played.

The Canadiens will receive a 2027 third-round pick if the Winnipeg Jets win the Stanley Cup. Monahan has a $1.985M cap-hit and is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of 2023-24. The 29-year-old centre had 13 goals and 22 assists (35 points) in 49 games with Montreal prior to the trade. He should settle in as the Jets' No.2 centre.

Fantilli was limited to only 7:30 time-on-ice on Monday before exiting the game with a calf laceration. The 19-year-old rookie will miss approximately eight weeks, a devastating blow for a Blue Jackets team that has struggled all season. In 49 games this season, Fantilli had 27 points (12G / 15A), 115 shots, and 46 hits, one of the few bright spots on the Blue Jackets' season.