Chinakhov has not played since November 27th but appears to be nearing a return after practicing on Monday. Before his injury, the 23-year-old Chinakhov was averaging a career-high 17:01 time-on-ice, scoring 14 points (7G / 7A) in 21 games.
Gaunce will slot in for Devin Shore, who is a healthy scratch. Gaunce has played in five games this season and is yet to register a point.
Sillinger exited Thursday's 5-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings in the first period after only 2:54 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The 21-year-old Sillinger has 29 points (9G / 20A) and 62 hits in 54 games this season.
Cole Sillinger suffered an upper-body injury in Thursday's 5-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings, resulting in the Blue Jackets recalled Pyyhtia from the Cleveland Monsters (AHL). The 23-year-old Pyyhtia has seven points (4G / 3A) in 46 games with the Blue Jackets this season.
Sillinger exited Thursday's 5-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings in the first period after only 2:54 time-on-ice due to an upper-body injury. The 21-year-old Sillinger has 29 points (9G / 20A) and 62 hits in 54 games this season.
Fasching has not played an NHL since January 5th due to an upper-body injury and will draw back into the lineup after a brief conditioning stint in Bridgeport (AHL). Before his injury, the 29-year-old Fasching averaged 8:56 time-on-ice and had yet to score a point through 19 games this season.
Gaunce has 28 points (13G / 15A) in 182 career NHL games but has primarily been an AHL player this season, limited to only five contests with Minnesota. The 30-year-old forward has 29 points (15G / 14A) in 35 games with Iowa (AHL) this season.
The Blue Jackets snapped a four-game losing skid in their most recent contest, a 5-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks when Merzlikins saved 27 of 28 shots (.964 SV%). The 30-year-old Merzlikins returns to the crease on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars, looking to improve his 2.94 GAA and .897 SV% through 38 games this season (20-14-4). The Blue Jackets enter Tuesday's contest as +154 home underdogs against a Stars squad with points in nine of their last 10 (8-1-1).
Marchenko's jaw broke at the beginning of February when an arrant puck hit him while he was sitting on the bench. Most players typically take six to eight weeks before returning from a broken jaw, so his presence at practice this week and activation from IR is welcoming and surprising. Before his injury, the 24-year-old Marchenko was having a breakout season, scoring 55 points (21G / 34A) in 53 games.
Jenner underwent shoulder surgery before the start of the season and appears to be nearing his season debut after participating at practice this week. The Blue Jackets' captain has battled injuries the previous several seasons but always has a physical impact when he's in the lineup. He had 22 goals, 35 points, 119 hits, and 155 SOG in 58 games in 2023-24.
Sillinger made his NHL debut earlier this season but spent most of the season in the AHL. The 27-year-old forward had 29 points (11G / 18A) in 44 games with the Cleveland Monsters this season.
Fabbro did not play the previous three games for the Blue Jackets due to an upper-body injury but is expected to return to action on Saturday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 26-year-old Fabbro is averaging 20:22 time-on-ice, recording 13 points (4G / 9A), 96 blocks, and 44 hits in 37 games this season.
Jenner underwent shoulder surgery before the start of the season and appears to be nearing his season debut after participating at practice on Wednesday. The Blue Jackets' captain has battled injuries the previous several seasons but always has a physical impact when he's in the lineup. He had 22 goals, 35 points, 119 hits, and 155 SOG in 58 games in 2023-24.
Marchenko's jaw broke at the beginning of February when an arrant puck hit him while he was sitting on the bench. Most players typically take six to eight weeks before returning from a broken jaw, so his presence at practice on Wednesday was welcoming and surprising. Before his injury, the 24-year-old Marchenko was having a breakout season, scoring 55 points (21G / 34A) in 53 games.
