With the Stanley Cup Playoffs just over a month away, the Columbus Blue Jackets continue to struggle keeping a healthy roster.
In the latest injury news, Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ryan Murray has broken his hand. In Saturday’s game against the Buffalo Sabres, Murray left the game with an injury, later revealed to be a broken hand.
This injury comes off the heels of an undisclosed upper body injury that kept Murray out of two games last week. The hand will keep him out for four to six weeks, which could force Murray to miss a Blue Jackets playoff series.
Murray has been a good player that has no problem blocking shots with his body, leading the team in the statistic. His presence on the penalty kill will also be missed. Fortunately, the acquisition of veteran defenseman Kyle Quincey at the trade deadline can soften the blow.
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GOOD NEWS
Forward Matt Calvert is coming back to the lineup. Calvert had missed time with an oblique strain over the past several weeks. T.J. Tynan was recalled from the Cleveland Monsters to replace the injured forward therefore he will return to Cleveland with Calvert back.
Forward Josh Anderson is also returning to the lineup for Monday’s game against the Philadelphia Flyers. Anderson suffered a lower body injury last week against the New Jersey Devils that forced him off the ice for the next several games.
BAD NEWS AGAIN
Good news doesn’t last forever in Columbus. Captain Nick Foligno is a game-time decision for Monday’s game due to an illness according the Columbus Dispatch’s Aaron Portzline. Foligno left the morning skate session Monday early due to the illness.
Forwards Lukas Sedlak and David Clarkson are still out of action with Sedlak suffering from an oblique strain while Clarkson is out indefinitely with a spinal injury. Sedlak may return within the next week or so as many were expecting the Czech to be back before Calvert.
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The injury bug has certainly infiltrated its way into the Columbus locker room. This is just in sync with the Blue Jackets trying to chase the Washington Capitals‘ first-place position. The spot certainly isn’t out of reach but it has become a whole lot harder. With several players working through injuries now, the Jackets need to focus on their health rather than wins.
Although the fans and the players may want to get the top spot in the Eastern Conference, coach John Tortorella and his staff need to keep the roster healthy. It simply doesn’t matter if the Jackets get the top spot in the conference if their roster is depleted beyond recognition.