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Columbus Blue Jackets News
Merzlikins will start Thursday in Boston.

Merzlikins stopped 36 of 37 shots in the Blue Jackets win over the Panthers on Tuesday. It was an outstanding effort from Merzlikins in his first game as the Blue Jackets new No.1 netminder. It was Merzlikins first career NHL win but his second may have to wait a little longer. The Bruins are 14-1-8 while scoring 3.43 goals per game in Boston this year.

Elvis Merzlikins
Merzlikins will start Tuesday vs. the Panthers.

Merzlikins was handed the loss after replacing Joonas Korpisalo in the shootout on Sunday. With Korpisalo out for at least one month, this will be a huge test for the 25-year-old Merzlikins. Tonight will be his first career start on home-ice and hopefully it goes better than his first eight road outings--0-4-4 with a 3.41 GAA and .889 SV%.

Elvis Merzlikins
Merzlikins is expected to start Tuesday in Detroit.

Merzlikins was pulled after allowing two goals on eight shots in the Blue Jackets' loss in Ottawa on Saturday afternoon. Merzlikins is still searching for his first NHL win after starting his career 0-4-3 with a 3.41 GAA and .889 SV%. He has not played well but a matchup vs. the Red Wings is a great opportunity to mark one in the win column.

Elvis Merzlikins
The Blue Jackets have activated Zach Werenski (shoulder) from IR.

This is surprising. The Blue Jackets announced that Werenski will miss one month with a sprained AC joint just over two weeks ago, but activating him from IR suggests he will play tonight in Detroit. The 22-year-old is a Michigan native, so he will be playing in front of family if he is in the lineup and comes in with 16 points (6G / 10A) in 26 games this season.

Zach Werenski
Merzlikins will start Saturday afternoon in Ottawa.

Merzlikins allowed three goals on 26 shots in the Blue Jackets' loss in Florida last Saturday. The 25-year-old is still looking for his first NHL win, as he has started the year 0-4-3 with a 3.30 GAA and .894 SV% in seven starts and one relief appearance. Today he takes on a Senators team that has lost seven of their last nine while scoring 2.33 goals per game.

Elvis Merzlikins
Merzlikins will start Saturday in Florida.

Merzlikins allowed two goals on 27 shots in the Blue Jackets' loss to the Islanders last Saturday. Joonas Korpisalo started the last two games but Merzlikins will start tonight in Florida. Merzlikins has not started on home ice this season but has made six road starts, going 0-3-3 with a 3.66 GAA and .884 SV%. The Panthers come in at 7-4-2 while scoring 3.62 goals per game on home-ice.

Elvis Merzlikins
Werenski will miss one month with a sprained AC joint.

Werenski left Saturday's game with a shoulder injury and the Blue Jackets announced on Sunday that he'll be out for at least four weeks. Werenski's injury leaves the Blue Jackets with six healthy defensemen, so look for them to call someone up from Cleveland (AHL) before Tuesday's game. Don't expect to see Werenski until late-December/early-January.

Zach Werenski