Merzlikins, 27, has missed the past two games with a lower body injury suffered at Chicago on February 17 and is day-to-day. He has gone 18-13-1 with a 3.42 goals-against average, .903 save percentage and two shutouts in 32 contests this season. The Riga, Latvia native is 39-34-14 with a 2.84 GAA, .914 SV% and nine shutouts in 93 career games with Columbus since making his NHL debut in 2019-20. The 6-3, 183-pound netminder was selected by the Blue Jackets in the third round, 76th overall, at the 2014 NHL Draft.
Bemstrom, 22, has recorded two goals and two assists for four points with two penalty minutes, one game-winning goal and 22 shots, while averaging 10:05 of ice time in 13 games with the Blue Jackets this season. The 6-0, 193-pound forward has totaled 15-14-29 with 10 penalty minutes, six power play goals, five game-winners and 147 shots in 89 career games since making his NHL debut in 2019-20. He has added 1-1-2 and 11 shots in four outings with the Monsters in 2021-22, including collecting an assist with four shots on Wednesday vs. Grand Rapids. A native of Nykoping, Sweden, Bemstrom was selected by the Blue Jackets in the fourth round, 117th overall, at the 2017 NHL Draft.
Christiansen, 22, averaged 10:29 of ice time with an even plus/minus rating in three games with the Blue Jackets this season. He made his NHL debut on January 6 at New Jersey and collected a shot and two blocked shots on 12:46 of ice time. Signed to a three-year, entry level contract with Columbus on Mar. 4, 2020, the native of West Vancouver, British Columbia has recorded 6-20-26 with 19 penalty minutes and 101 in 38 appearances with Cleveland this season. The 6-0, 186-pound defenseman has collected 8-27-35 and 31 penalty minutes in 62 career AHL games with the Monsters and Stockton Heat since making his pro debut in 2019-20.
