Bjork has six goals, 13 points, 18 PIMs and a -3 plus/minus through 40 games with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL) and has been recalled to Columbus Thursday. The 25-year-old returns to the Blue Jackets, where he had three goals, eight assists, 24 PIMs and a -7 plus/minus through 27 games earlier in the season.
Olivier left the Blue Jackets' game after just 0:35 TOI due to a lower-leg bruise and will now be forced to miss anywhere from 2-4 weeks with the injury. The 26-year-old right-winger will likely end his season with five goals, 10 assists, 75 SOG, 81 PIMs and a -20 plus/minus through 66 games this season.
Merlikins was pulled after just 37:02 and six goals on 24 shots (.750 SV%) in his last start vs. Montreal and is now considered day-to-day as he deals with a lower-body injury. The 28-year-old is having a historically bad season between the Blue Jackets' pipes, with his 7-18-2 record, 4.23 GAA and .876 SV%.
Gudbranson left the Blue Jackets' previous game after 16:21 TOI due to a separated shoulder and is now expected to miss the next six weeks as he recovers. The 31-year-old will put a cap on his 2022-23 season, where he had a goal, 12 assists, 102 SOG, 57 PIMs and a -24 plus/minus through 70 games prior to his injury.
McKown had 21 goals, seven assists, 30 PIMs and a -19 plus/minus through 38 games with Colorado College (NCAA) and will make his NHL debut Friday. The 20-year-old was an undrafted free agent who signed last week to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Sillinger has three goals, eight assists, 93 SOG, 22 PIMs and a -23 plus/minus through 64 games with Columbus this season and has been reassigned to Cleveland (AHL). The 19-year-old will be sent to Cleveland, where he has never played an AHL game before.
Merlikins had been having a historically bad season, with his 7-17-2 record, 4.10 GAA and .880 SV% and had left the Blue Jackets' to return to Latvia for personal reasons. The 28-year-old returned Wednesday resulting in Daniil Tarasov returning to Cleveland (AHL).
Tarasov was 4-11-1 with a 3.91 GAA and .892 SV with Columbus but will return to Cleveland (AHL) with Elvis Merzlikins returning from Latvia. The 23-year-old returns to Cleveland, where he was 4-5-0 with a 4.07 GAA and .871 SV%.
Tarasov allowed five goals on 29 shots (.828 SV%) for his eighth loss in nine starts as he lost to Vegas his last time between the pipes. The 23-year-old has been hung out to dry in his first NHL season, leading to his 3-11-1 record, 3.77 GAA and .896 SV%. He will face the Washington Capitals, who have lost five of their last seven games after a 5-3 loss to Minnesota last game.
McKown had 21 goals, seven assists, 30 PIMs and a -19 plus/minus through 38 games with Colorado College (NCAA) and has been signed to a three-year, entry-level contract and is expected to join the team this week. The 20-year-old was an undrafted free agent.
Tarasov allowed five goals on 32 shots (.844 SV%) to snap a seven-game losing streak as he beat San Jose in his previous start. The 23-year-old has had a tough first NHL season, with his 3-9-1 record, 3.40 GAA and .903 SV%. He will take on the red-hot Los Angeles Kings, who have won six of their last seven games after this 5-2 win over the New York Islanders last game.
Tarasov last took the Blue Jackets' crease on January 17th and picked up his sixth-straight loss in a 28-save (.929 SV%) defeat to Nashville. The 23-year-old old netminder has struggled to pick up victories with his 2-9-1 record but has a decent .908 SV% and 3.28 GAA. He takes on the struggling San Jose Sharks, who have lost eight of their last nine contests and are 24th in the NHL in both goals per game (2.87) and shots on goal per game (29.9).
Fischer left the Coyotes' previous game vs. Colorado after just 5:32 TOI due to a lower-body injury and return to the Arizona lineup Tuesday. The 25-year-old has 11 goals, 13 assists, 104 SOG, 18 PIMs and a -6 plus/minus through 65 games played.
