Game Preview: Merzlikins Starts As Blue Jackets Face Wild, Look For First Win Of Season

There's no doubt about it: the Columbus Blue Jackets played well enough to win in Thursday's season opener.

But a hot goaltender in net in Juuse Saros and a questionable goaltender interference call aided the Nashville Predators to a 2-1 victory Thursday night, sending the Blue Jackets to a fourth straight season-opening loss.

"It was a very tight game, and that’s just the way it goes sometimes," said Mathieu Olivier, whose would-be goal was overturned with 17 seconds left in the second period on a goaltender interference call that left the Blue Jackets baffled. "But as far as the way we played, I don’t think there’s much to look at and not be satisfied with."

Head coach Dean Evason shared a similar sentiment.

"We did so many really good things in this hockey game," said Evason. "It's frustrating, obviously. It's tough to go in the room and say, 'Keep doing that. We're good. We're fine.' But the guys know how well and how hard they played."

The Blue Jackets will look to match that energy and style of play Saturday night when they wrap up a quick, two-game road trip with a contest against the Minnesota Wild. 

Puck-drop is set for 8:00 p.m.

Here's what to know when the Blue Jackets aim for their first points of the 2025-26 campaign:

• RE: WILD
  Saturday night is Minnesota's home opener. No team looked more impressive in their season opener than the Wild, who skated off the Enterprise Center ice in St. Louis with a 5-0 victory over the Blues. Kirill Kaprizov had three assists in the win and was among four Minnesota skaters to have a multi-point opening night. Filip Gustavsson made 26 saves for the night-one shutout and is likely to get the start in net against the Blue Jackets.
   
• ELVIS GETS THE NOD IN NET
  Jet Greaves was more than fine Thursday night despite getting the loss, but Evason said earlier in the week that the two goaltenders would split the two-game road trip, and he's staying true to that word. That means Elvis Merzlikins is in net for the Blue Jackets on Saturday.
   
• VORONKOV'S FOLLOW-UP
  Dmitri Voronkov had the lone goal for Columbus on Thursday and later hit a goalpost that would've given him a multi-goal night. Several Blue Jackets looked sharp in the game, but Voronkov and linemates Sean Monahan and Kirill Marchenko led that charge. Another game like that from the Monahan and the two big Russians and the Blue Jackets will be in prime position to pick up two points.
   
• LINEUPS & PROJECTIONS
  The only change to the lineup from the season opener is between the pipes, where Merzlikins starts in place of Greaves.
  
  Forward Yegor Chinakhov and defenseman Jake Christiansen are again the healthy scratches.
  
  Here are the complete lineup projections: