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Columbus Blue Jackets News
Sillinger (upper-body) will remain out vs. Carolina on Thursday after originally being a game-time decision.

Sillinger was a surprise scratch before Wednesday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs and will remain out of the lineup on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 21-year-old Sillinger is averaging 17:40 time-on-ice and has 23 points (7G / 16A) in 45 games this season.

Cole Sillinger
Tarasov will start in Carolina on Thursday.

A night after an impressive 5-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Blue Jackets will switch to Tarasov between the pipes. Tarasov was excellent in his most recent outing, a 26-save shutout, his first of the season, in a 1-0 shootout loss to the New York Rangers. The 25-year-old netminder has a 3.64 GAA and .872 SV% in 12 games this season (4-6-2). The Blue Jackets enter Thursday's contest as significant +320 road favorites despite playing their best hockey of the season, collecting a point in eight of their last nine games (7-1-1).

Daniil Tarasov
Sillinger (upper-body) will be a game-time decision in Carolina on Thursday.

Sillinger was a surprise scratch before Wednesday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs and his status remains uncertain on Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 21-year-old Sillinger is averaging 17:40 time-on-ice and has 23 points (7G / 16A) in 45 games this season.

Cole Sillinger
Merzlikins will start in Toronto on Wednesday.

Despite appearing to be shaken up at the morning skate, Merzlikins will make his 31st start of the season when the Blue Jackets travel to Toronto to take on the Maple Leafs on Wednesday. Merzlikins didn't turn in his best performance his last time out, allowing three goals on 25 shots in a 3-1 loss on Long Island. The loss snapped a personal four-game winning streak for the 30-year-old netminder. Merzlikins carries a 16-11-3 record and an .890 SV% into Wednesday night's matchup. He'll have a hard time getting back in the win column against the Maple Leafs as the Blue Jackets enter action at +175 on the money line.

Elvis Merzlikins
Merzlikins will start in New York on Monday.

Daniil Tarasov between the pipes in Saturday's 1-0 shootout loss to the New York Rangers, but the Blue Jackets will return to Merzlikins on Monday against the New York Islanders. Merzlikins saved 18 of 19 shots (.947 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 4-1 win over the San Jose Sharks. He has a 3.05 GAA and .890 SV% in 29 games this season (16-10-3). The Blue Jackets enter Monday's contest as +142 road underdogs against an Islanders club they defeated 2-0 on October 30th.

Elvis Merzlikins
Danforth (lower-body) has been activated off IR and is expected to play on Monday vs. New York.

Danforth has not played since December 10th due to a lower-body injury but will make his return on Monday. The 31-year-old Danforth is averaging a career-high 15:20 time-on-ice and has eight points (3G / 5A) in 25 games this season. Kevin Labanc will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Danforth's return.

Justin Danforth
Columbus has signed Jake Christiansen to a two-year, $1.95 million contract extension ($975K AAV).

Christiansen has been a staple on the Blue Jackets' blue line this season and has been rewarded with a two-year, $1.95 million contract extension. The 25-year-old defenseman is averaging 13:07 time-on-ice, recording seven points (1G / 6A), 41 hits, and 28 blocks in 45 games this season.

Jake Christiansen