The Columbus Blue Jackets visit the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on Thursday night, with both teams releasing their expected lineups amid several injuries. The Blue Jackets enter with an 18-17-7 record, while the Golden Knights stand at 18-11-12. Debuts and returns highlight the matchup as both squads aim to build momentum.
The Columbus Blue Jackets face the Vegas Golden Knights in a Western Conference clash at T-Mobile Arena on January 8, 2026, starting at 10 p.m. ET. Broadcast options include FDSNOH, SCRIPPS, SNP, SNO, SN1, and TVAS.
For the Blue Jackets, the projected forward lines are Dimitri Voronkov with Adam Fantilli and Kirill Marchenko; Boone Jenner alongside Sean Monahan and Kent Johnson; Cole Sillinger, Charlie Coyle, and Mathieu Olivier; and Zach Aston-Reese, Brendan Gaunce, and Mikael Pyyhtia. On defense, pairings include Zach Werenski and Denton Mateychuk, Ivan Provorov and Damon Severson, and Egor Zamula with Dante Fabbro. Goalies are Jet Greaves and Elvis Merzlikins.
Scratches are Jake Christiansen and Danton Heinen. Injuries plague the team: Erik Gudbranson (hip), Isac Lundestrom (lower body), Brendan Smith (knee surgery), Miles Wood (lower body), and Mason Marchment (upper body). Smith underwent surgery after an injury in a 4-1 win over the Ottawa Senators on December 29 and is out 3-4 months, placed on injured reserve January 2. Marchment is week-to-week following a 5-4 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins on January 4 and was retroactively placed on IR. Notably, Egor Zamula makes his Blue Jackets debut after signing a one-year contract, replacing Christiansen. Mikael Pyyhtia enters his season debut post-recall from Cleveland of the AHL, subbing for Heinen.
The Golden Knights stick with the lineup from their 4-3 overtime victory against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. Forwards: Ivan Barbashev, Jack Eichel, and Mark Stone; Brandon Saad, Mitch Marner, and Reilly Smith; Brett Howden, Tomas Hertl, and Keegan Kolesar; Pavel Dorofeyev, Colton Sissons, and Braeden Bowman. Defense: Noah Hanifin and Zach Whitecloud, Jeremy Lauzon and Kaedan Korczak, Ben Hutton and Jaycob Megna. Goalies: Carter Hart and Akira Schmid.
Scratches include Cole Reinhardt and Alexander Holtz. Injuries: Adin Hill (lower body), William Karlsson (lower body), Shea Theodore (upper body), and Brayden McNabb (upper body). Theodore skated in a red non-contact jersey on Thursday but will miss his 11th consecutive game.
This preview underscores injury challenges for both sides, with the Blue Jackets integrating new faces and the Golden Knights relying on recent form.
