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).
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.
Smith was a healthy scratch for the Devils' previous game but will draw back into the lineup Tuesday vs. Tampa Bay. The 34-year-old has five assists, 52 SOG, 61 PIMs and a +1 plus/minus through 54 games played with the Devils this season.
Goaltender Elvis Merzlikins will be away from the team temporarily. His grandmother is seriously ill and he has returned to Latvia to be with family. The 28-year-old has struggled all season, with his 7-17-2 record, 4.1 GAA and .880 SV%.
Smith has been a previous scratch for the Devils' previous six games but will draw back into the lineup Thursday vs. Washington. The 34-year-old defenseman has five assists, 47 SOG and 61 PIMs through 52 games this season.
Merzlkins allowed four goals on 23 shots (.826 SV%) for his fifth loss in six starts as he was defeated by the Ottawa Senators last game. Merzlikins has been historically bad this season, with his 7-17-2 record, 4.15 GAA and .879 SV%. He takes on the Pittsburgh Penguins, who just snapped a four-game winning streak with a 4-1 loss to Florida last game.
