Blue Jackets at Panthers

BLUE JACKETS (17-17-1) at PANTHERS (25-7-5)

Blue Jackets projected lineup
Patrik Laine -- Boone Jenner -- Gustav Nyquist
Max Domi --
Liam Foudy
-- Oliver Bjorkstrand
Alexandre Texier -- Jack Roslovic -- Yegor Chinakhov
Eric Robinson -- Sean Kuraly -- Emil Bemstrom
Zach Werenski -- Adam Boqvist
Vladislav Gavrikov -- Andrew Peeke
Jake Bean -- Dean Kukan
Elvis Merzlikins
Joonas Korpisalo
Scratched: Gabriel Carlsson, Gavin Bayreuther
Injured:Justin Danforth (left knee sprain), Daniil Tarasov (lower body)
COVID-19 protocol: Jakub Voracek, Cole Sillinger
Panthers projected lineup
Carter Verhaeghe -- Aleksander Barkov -- Sam Reinhart
Jonathan Huberdeau -- Sam Bennett -- Anthony Duclair
Frank Vatrano -- Anton Lundell -- Maxim Mamin
Ryan Lomberg -- Eetu Luostarinen -- Patric Hornqvist
MacKenzie Weegar -- Aaron Ekblad
Gustav Forsling -- Radko Gudas
Olli Juolevi -- Brandon Montour
Sergei Bobrovsky
Spencer Knight
Scratched: Lucas Carlsson, Joe Thornton, Owen Tippett, Mason Marchment
Injured: None
COVID-19 protocol:Jonas Johansson
Status report
Neither team held a morning skate. … Sillinger, a forward, was placed in NHL COVID-19 protocol. Foudy was recalled from the taxi squad to replace him. ... Merzlikins is expected to make his second straight start. He made 31 saves in a 6-0 win at the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday. ... Marchment could play after the forward missed five games while in NHL COVID-19 protocol. He was cleared Tuesday. … Knight could start after Bobrovsky made 29 saves in 7-1 against the Dallas Stars on Friday. Knight was removed from COVID-19 protocol Friday.