The Columbus Blue Jackets will be without goaltender Elvis Merzlikins and forward Riley Nash for at least their next game against the Minnesota Wild. Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reported that both players did not make the trip with the team. Matiss Kivlenieks has been recalled on an emergency basis while recently acquired Devin Shore will most likely take over Riley Nash’s spot in the lineup.
Told neither G Elvis Merzlikins nor F Riley Nash traveled w #CBJ to St. Paul.
– Merzlikins left 4-3 OT win vs. #Sens on Monday midway through 2nd period w injury. Matiss Kivlenieks was recalled.
– Nash also left in the 2nd period. Devin Shore could take his lineup spot.— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) February 25, 2020
Elvis Merzlikins and Riley Nash Injured
Both players were injured in Monday’s contest against the Ottawa Senators. Merlikins sustained an injury after he was crashed into by Anthony Duclair after he had a partial breakaway. Merzlikins left the game and was replaced by Joonas Korpisalo who just recently returned from injury. Nash was injured after he tried to take the body on Senators defenceman Andreas Englund. He suffered an upper-body injury after the collision.
Merzlikins has been outstanding recently for the Blue Jackets. He has posted a record of 12-9-8 with a 2.39 goals-against average and a .922 save percentage. He has also recorded 5 shutouts.
Nash has played 59 games with the Blue Jackets this season. He has scored four goals and eight assists for 12 points.
More Injuries Plagued the Blue Jackets
It has been an injury-riddled season for the Blue Jackets. They recently lost one of their top players Oliver Bjorgstrand for 8-10 weeks with an ankle injury. This is added to the group of Seth Jones, Cam Atkinson, Alexander Wennberg amongst others who are all on the injured reserve.
Despite the injury troubles, the Blue Jackets have still managed to stay in the playoff race. They currently hold the second Wild Card position in the Eastern Conference. Two points up on the Florida Panthers.
The good news for the Blue Jackets is that Korpisalo was activated from the injured reserve on the 23rd. On a team that essentially has two starters. Korpisalo should still be able to keep the team afloat in Merzlikins’ absence.
Recently acquired Devin Shore will jump into the lineup and play his first game for the Blue Jackets. Shore was acquired from the Anaheim Ducks for Sonny Milano at the trade deadline.
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