Smith will be a healthy scratch on Thursday.
Smith has played in seven straight games but will be replaced by Ethan Bear in the lineup on Thursday.
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Columbus Blue Jackets News
Goalie Start
Merzlikins will start Wednesday vs. the Flames.
Aston-Reese (lower-body) will not play Sunday afternoon vs. the Jets.
With Aston-Reese unavailable vs. Winnipeg, look for Brian Boyle to replace him in the Penguins' bottom-6.
Goalie Start
Merzlikins will start Sunday vs. the Senators.
The Blue Jackets have activated Cole Sillinger from the COVID-19 protocol list.
Sillinger missed three games while in COVID-19 protocol but will likely be available for Sunday's game vs. the Senators. Sillinger has tallied six goals and seven assists (13 points) in his first 35 career NHL games.
The Coyotes have added Dysin Mayo to the COVID-19 protocol list.
Heinen (COVID-19 protocol) will be a game-time decision on Thursday.
Heinen has missed the last four games while n COVID-19 protocol but is expected to be back in the lineup on Thursday. While he's officially listed as a game-time decision, expect him to be back on a line with Jeff Carter and Evan Rodrigues.
Aston-Reese (COVID-19 protocol) will be a game-time decision on Thursday.
Aston-Reese has missed the last four games while n COVID-19 protocol but is expected to be back in the lineup on Thursday. While he's officially listed as a game-time decision, expect him to be back on a line with Teddy Bluger and Brock McGinn.
Goalie Start
Merzlikins will start Thursday in Philadelphia.
Fabbro is week-to-week with an upper-body injury.
Goalie Start
Merzlikins will start Saturday in Florida.
Provorov was removed from the COVID-19 protocol list on Wednesday and is expected to play Thursday.
Goalie Start
Merzlikins will be back in the Blue Jackets net on Thursday.
Fabbro has been activated from the COVID-19 protocol list and will play Tuesday.
The Penguins have added Danton Heinen to the COVID-19 protocol list.
Merzlikins (lower-body) will serve as the Blue Jackets backup on Tuesday.
Merzlikins missed the last three games with a lower-body injury but will serve as Joonas Korpisalo's backup on Tuesday. This is a positive step for Merzlikins, who is likely in line to start Thursday in Carolina.
Werenski (COVID-19 protocol) will return to the Blue Jackets lineup on Saturday.
Werenski missed the last two games while in COVID-19 protocol but will play Saturday vs. the Devils. Werenski has played very well since the middle of November, tallying 14 points (4G / 10A) in his last 19 games.
Sillinger (lower-body) will be a game-time decision on Thursday.
Sillinger is dealing with a minor lower-body injury that he is expected to play through on Thursday, but has officially been listed as a game-time decision. Monitor his status as the Blue Jackets hit the ice for warmups.
Christiansen will make his NHL debut on Thursday.
Christiansen was an undrafted free agent out of the WHL, who signed with the Blue Jackets in 2020. The 22-year-old defenseman has tallied five goals with 13 assists (18 points) in 21 AHL games this season.
Zamula has been promoted to the Flyers' taxi squad and is expected to play Thursday.
Zamula has picked up three goals and 11 assists (14 points) in 25 AHL games this season and is expected to make his season debut on Thursday. Zamula will replace Travis Sanheim, who was placed on the COVID-19 protocol list.
