Gudbranson out and Greaves to start for Columbus Blue Jackets vs New Jersey Devils

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Gudbranson out and Greaves to start for Columbus Blue Jackets vs New Jersey Devils

Brian Hedger, Columbus Dispatch · The Columbus Dispatch

Mon, Oct 13, 2025 ·

3 min read

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After splitting two games to start the season on the road, it's time for the Blue Jackets (1-1-0) to play their home opener.

The Jackets will begin the celebration of their 25thanniversary by hosting the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 13 at Nationwide Arena, where they'll get an early start to Metropolitan Division play.

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Jet Greaves , after starting the season opener in a 2-1 loss Oct. 9 in Nashville , will get back in net against the Devils (1-1-0). The only other lineup change will be on the third defense pairing, where Jake Christiansen will make his season debut as a replacement for the injured Erik Gudbranson (upper body).

"I'm really excited for the opportunity," Christiansen said. "I haven't really thought about getting an opportunity, though, as much as I've just tried to go out and be the best version of myself in practice, and then whatever happens (with lineup decisions) happens."

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Jake Christiansen (2) fights for the puck with Vegas Golden Knights left wing Brandon Saad (20) during the first period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on March 13, 2025.

Christiansen skated on the left side of the third pairing with Denton Mateychuk , who'll slide over to play the right.

New Jersey will start goalie Jake Allen and rookie forward Brian Halonen will make his season debut replacing injured Zack MacEwen on the fourth line. The Devils are also without left wing Evgenii Dadonov , who's on injured reserve after sustaining a fractured hand in their season opener.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Erik Gudbranson (44) hits Ottawa Senators defenseman Jake Sanderson (85) during the second period of the NHL hockey game at Nationwide Arena in Columbus on April 8, 2025.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Erik Gudbranson to miss first game

Gudbranson, 33, was injured on his first shift in the third period in the Blue Jackets' 7-4 victory Oct. 11 at the Minnesota Wild . It happened five seconds after the ensuing faceoff following a goal by Zach Werenski 1:11 into the third period. Gudbranson sent a pass up the ice before Wild power forward Marcus Foligno delivered a big hit that drove him into the boards and out of the game.

Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason didn't provide details on the injury, but it sounds like a day-to-day issue. Evason also said after the game the Blue Jackets "didn't like" Foligno's hit, which wasn't penalized.

Here's a look at each projected lineups for the Blue Jackets and Devils: