Yegor Chinakhov is about to get his first opportunity to play in a top-six role this season when the Blue Jackets host the Montreal Canadiens on Nov. 17 at Nationwide Arena.
Chinakhov, who’s spent 13 games with the fourth line, will move to a line with Sean Monahan at center and Kent Johnson at right wing against the Canadiens (10-6-2), who edged the Jackets out of a playoff spot by two points last season.
Jet Greaves will start his fifth straight game for the Blue Jackets (9-7-2), who will skate Zach Aston-Reese on the fourth line and scratch rookie forward Luca Del Bel Belluz.
“We just tweaked the lines a little bit,” Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason said. “We want to get (Aston-Reese) back in there, so (Chinakhov’s) speed’s been real good. Montreal’s a quick team. That’s part of it.”
Chinakhov, 24, requested a trade this July 17 due to frustration with his usage after returning from a lengthy absence with a back injury. Blue Jackets president/GM Don Waddell didn’t trade him, so Chinakhov arrived for training camp intent on earning a regular lineup role.
Instead, he started the season as a healthy scratch. Chinakhov has since earned a somewhat regular role on the fourth line, adding four points on two goals and two assists, but playing more of a defensive role doesn’t mesh well with his offensive style and skills.
Monahan and Johnson are searching for more offensive production, so adding Chinakhov could spark all three.
“(Monahan) is always in the right place, doing the right things,” Evason said. “He’s a great leader on our team, so whoever he plays with will be a good line.”
Greaves, meanwhile, gets another start after helping the Blue Jackets earn a point with 31 saves on 32 shots Nov. 15 in a 2-1 shootout loss to the New York Rangers. Evason indicated that Elvis Merzlikins will likely start Nov. 18 at the Winnipeg Jets to conclude the Jackets’ fifth of 15 back-to-back games.
“We debated (as a staff),” Evason said. “We’ve got a back-to-back, so both are going to play. It was just a matter of who was going to play this first one. … Jet played really well the other night.”
Former Ohio State goalie Jakub Dobes, who’s 6-1-1 with a 2.70 goals against average and .901 save percentage, will start for the Canadiens, who’ve lost three straight games.
Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com and @BrianHedger.bsky.social