Game Preview: Elvis Merzlikins Returns To Net As Blue Jackets Face Jets Tuesday Night

It's the second half of a back-to-back Tuesday night when the Columbus Blue Jackets head north of the border to battle the Winnipeg Jets.

The Blue Jackets will look to extend a five-game point streak (3-0-2).

Here are five things to know before the 8:00 p.m. puck-drop:

• Eric Comrie gets the start for Winnipeg, not Connor Hellebuyck. This will be Comrie's fifth start of the season; he's 3-1-0 with a 2.75 goals against average and .908 save percentage in his first four starts.
   
• The Jets are ranked 8th on both the power play and penalty kill. They've connected for four PP goals in their last three games (eight attempts), so continued discipline from Columbus will be key. They avoided taking a penalty for the first time this season in Monday's shootout win over Montreal.
   
• With a point Tuesday night, Kirill Marchenko will tie Ryan Johansen for the franchise record for most consecutive games with a point. Johansen had a point in 13 straight games during the 2014-15 season. Marchenko has three goals and 11 assists during his 12-game run. Two other potential milestones are possible in this one: Zach Werenski is one point away from 400 in his career, and Charlie Coyle needs two points to reach 500 in the NHL.
   
• For the first time in ten days (and five games), Elvis Merzlikins gets the start in the Columbus net. He's allowed three or more goals in his last four starts dating back to October 25th, but still has a .908 save percentage for the season, his highest since the 2020-21 campaign.
   
• Luca Del Bel Belluz is back into the lineup, while Yegor Chinakhov is a healthy scratch. Here are the complete projections: