Columbus Blue Jackets: Return of Cam Atkinson to Lineup
The Columbus Blue Jackets are getting a big shot in the arm with the return of Cam Atkinson tonight.
Cam Atkinson will return to the lineup tonight against the Arizona Coyotes after a quick recovery from a fractured foot. The Columbus Blue Jackets have been starving for goals over the last month and Cam’s return should help.
The winger has missed the last 11 games but before that wasn’t having a huge year offensively. Cam was only on pace 15 goals this season, a disappointing showing after his 35 goal season and his new contract. The Jackets need Cam to come back and start potting some goals.
January has been a rough month with injuries for the Jackets and getting Atkinson back is a nice first step. They still are without Ryan Murray and Brandon Dubinsky. Those players injuries seem to have no end in sight though.
Related Story: Dubinsky Dilema
Line Shake Up
Cam’s return will give coach John Tortorella a plethora of options to toy with now. For a while opposing teams have been able to just lock in on the Artemi Panarin – Pierre-Luc Dubois – Josh Anderson line because of the lack of threats throughout the roster. With Alexander Wennberg return and now Atkinson, the Jackets are adding scoring depth.
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Cam can play on any of the top three lines although he is likely to draw into the second line. This is how I see the lines playing out tonight. Of course Torts gonna Torts and lines will be mixed up all night.
Artemi Panarin – Pierre-Luc Dubois – Josh Anderson
Cam Atkinson – Alexander Wennberg – Oliver Bjorkstrand
Matt Calvert – Jussi Jokinen – Nick Foligno
Boone Jenner – Lukas Sedlak – Jordan Schroeder
Having Boone Jenner on the fourth line isn’t ideal but his production hasn’t been where it needs to be for this team to have success. And not just in the last month. It’s been this way the entire year.
Cam’s return means Motte and Gerbe will not be seeing the ice anytime soon. Both were sent back down to Cleveland. Markus Hannikainen will be a healthy scratch.
Welcome back to Camsanity tonight in the desert. Let’s hope he returns as 2016-2017 Cam and starts scoring some goals.