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Columbus Blue Jackets News
Elvis Merzlikins will start Tuesday vs. Buffalo.

Merzlikins allowed three goals on 44 shots (.932 SV%) for his third straight loss as he was defeated by Minnesota in his previous start. The 28-year-old has had a horrendous 2022-23 campaign, with his 6-15-2 record, 4.14 GAA and .876 SV%. He will face the Buffalo Sabres, who have won five of their last six games and are 2nd in the NHL in goals per game (3.78).

Elvis Merzlikins
Elvis Merzlikins is the likely starter Tuesday vs. Buffalo.

Merzlikins allowed three goals on 44 shots (.932 SV%) for his third straight loss as he was defeated by Minnesota in his previous start. The 28-year-old has had a horrendous 2022-23 campaign, with his 6-15-2 record, 4.14 GAA and .876 SV%. He will face the Buffalo Sabres, who have won five of their last six games and are 2nd in the NHL in goals per game (3.78).

Elvis Merzlikins
The Avalanche have acquired Jack Johnson from the Blackhawks for Andreas Englund.

After winning Stanley Cup with the Avalanche last season, Johnson signed a one-year, $950K deal with the Blackhawks in August. Playing on one of the worst teams in the NHL, Johnson posted just four assists and a minus-25 rating across 58 games. He returns to the Avalanche, bring with him a veteran presence and Stanley Cup experience.

Jack Johnson
Gaudreau (lower-body) is expected to be back in the Blue Jackets lineup on Thursday.

Gaudreau missed the Blue Jackets' previous two games with a lower-body injury but is expected to return to Columbus' lineup Thursday vs. Minnesota. The 29-year-old has 15 goals, 52 points, 144 SOG, 20 PIMs and a -16 plus/minus through 55 games played prior to the injury.

Johnny Gaudreau
Gaudreau (lower-body) was a full participant in Wednesday's practice and could play Thursday.

Gaudreau missed the last two games with a lower-body injury, but his return to practice on Wednesday suggests that he'll be back in the lineup vs. the Wild on Thursday. Gaudreau. Was starting to heat up before he got hurt, picking up 14 points (4G / 10A) in his previous 15 games.

Johnny Gaudreau
Merzlikins will start Tuesday vs. the Devils.

Merzlikins stopped 26 of 29 shots (.897 SV%) to snap a three-game losing streak with a victory over the Toronto Maple Leaf's last start. The 28-year-old has a historically bad SV% this season, ranking bottom-five all-time with his .871 SV%, leading to his 6-14-0 record and 4.34 GAA. He will face the New Jersey Devils, who had a three-game winning streak snapped after a 3-2 shootout loss to Minnesota last game and are fourth in the NHL in shots per game (34.1).

Elvis Merzlikins
The Canadiens have signed Jordan Harris to a two-year contract extension worth $2.8 million ($1.4M AAV).

Harris has a goal, 10 assists, 48 SOG, 18 PIMs and a -6 plus/minus through 47 games this season and has agreed to a two-year contract extension worth $2.8 Million ($1.4 Million AAV) with the Montreal Canadiens. The deal will make the 22-year-old a Canadien until at least the end of the 2024-25 season.

Jordan Harris
Tim Berni has been recalled from the Cleveland Monsters (AHL).

Berni was returned to the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) for the NHL all-star break where he has a goal, three assists, 12 PIMs and a -1 plus/minus but will head back to the Blue Jackets Thursday. In 28 games with Columbus this season, he has a goal, 30 SOG, 18 PIMs and a -17 plus/minus.

Tim Berni
Labanc will be a healthy scratch for the second straight game.

Labanc will surprisingly head to the press box for a second straight contest as a healthy scratch Tuesday as San Jose takes on Tampa Bay. The 27-year-old has 10 goals, 15 assists, 83 SOG, 22 PIMs and a -3 plus/minus through 45 games played prior to his recent time off.

Kevin Labanc