Savard (illness) is expected to suit up Saturday versus New Jersey, NHL.com's Craig Merz reports.

EDGE Analysis

Savard missed Thursday's game versus Los Angeles with an illness, but all signs point to him returning Saturday. With only five assists in 34 games this season, the 29-year-old blueliner's presence will do little to alter fantasy fortunes.

Savard will miss Thursday's game against the Kings due to an illness.

EDGE Analysis

Savard is headed for his first absence of the season Thursday and it's expected to result in Gabriel Carlsson drawing in for the first time this season. Considering Savard has collected just five points (all assists) and owns a plus-1 rating on the year, there shouldn't be a huge fantasy shakeup with the swap.

Savard collected an assist and a game-high seven hits in Friday's 5-2 win over the Penguins.

EDGE Analysis

It was a chippy game, which suits Savard's playing style fairly well. He got on the scoresheet with an assist on the empty-net goal by Gustav Nyquist. Savard has only four assists in 25 games, but he's added 50 hits and 47 blocked shots as well. The physical presence and his defensive responsibility makes him a staple in coach John Tortorella's lineup.

Savard has two assists, a minus-2 rating, four PIM, 19 shots, 30 hits and 33 blocked shots through 17 games.

EDGE Analysis

As per usual, the veteran defenseman isn't offering much fantasy value in traditional formats, but his physical play and willingness to get in front of pucks gives him some utility in leagues that score categories beyond just points. Savard's plus-minus could also pick up as the season progresses if the Jackets as a whole can tighten up their play -- he's a combined plus-54 over the last three seasons, and hasn't finished in the red since 2015-16.

Savard set up two goals in the 4-3 overtime victory over Carolina on Thursday night.

EDGE Analysis

He also had six blocks. These were Savard's first points of the season. He's not much of a fantasy factor -- his career-best 36-point season happened five years ago. But this was a sweet on-ice performance.

Savard has yet to score a point through six games this season.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran isn't a key part of the Columbus blue line for his offense, though -- Savard has laid at least two hits in every game and has dished 15 in total, putting him well on pace for his seventh straight season with triple digits in that category. His minus-4 rating is a little concerning, but Savard was a plus-1 in Wednesday's win over the Stars and his fortunes should improve as the 3-3-0 Jackets finds their footing.

Savard recorded a game-high six blocked shots while adding one shot, one hit and a plus-1 rating in Friday's 5-1 win over the Lightning in Game 2 of their first-round series.

EDGE Analysis

While the veteran blueliner didn't make an impact at the offensive end, he was a huge part of a shutdown defensive effort by the Jackets in front of Sergei Bobrovsky. Savard tied with his partner Markus Nutivaara to lead all skaters in even-strength ice time at 21:41, and the duo should continue to draw a heavy workload as the series shifts to Columbus on Sunday, with the Jackets shockingly up 2-0.

Savard picked up two assists in Friday's 3-2 shootout win over the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

The victory clinched a playoff spot for the Jackets, so Savard picked a good time for his first multi-point game of the season. The blueliner is heading into the postseason with a bit of momentum, racking up four goals and seven points in his last 11 games, but his stay-at-home role typically puts a ceiling on his fantasy value.

Savard scored his sixth goal of the season Thursday in a 4-1 loss to Edmonton.

EDGE Analysis

The Blue Jackets continue to struggle down the stretch, much like the Oilers, but on this night, it was Edmonton walking out with the win. Despite losing, Savard was able to score his second goal in four games, giving him six on the year to go with his 12 assists. Savard also dished out a pair of hits in Thursday's loss.

Savard tallied an assist and two blocked shots over 20:11 of ice time Tuesday against the Devils.

EDGE Analysis

Savard's assist actually came on a slap shot that missed the net and bounced off the boards behind the goal. Cam Atkinson was able to collect the rebound and score the go-ahead goal. Tuesday's point marks the first that Savard has scored since Feb. 16 against Chicago. In those eight games without a point, the Quebec native logged 23 shots on goal and 19 hits while averaging 20:40 of ice time.