Columbus Blue Jackets Health Improving Right in Time for the Playoffs

The Columbus Blue Jackets are set to have the full arsenal of players by the start of the Stanly Cup Playoffs.

A rash of injuries have hit the Columbus Blue Jackets this season. From Alexander Wennberg to Cam Atkinson to Josh Anderson, the CBJ have missed some top flight scorers for big chunks of time.

The Jackets finally saw Josh Anderson return after missing six weeks with a knee sprain. Anderson was the Jackets third leading goal scorer at the time and should provide another weapon in the playoffs.

Still though, the Jackets are dealing with their Captain, Nick Foligno, and one of their hottest defenseman, Markus Nutivaara, sidelined with injuries. Foligno has missed the last two weeks and Nutivaara has been out since the team’s Western Canada road trip.

But good news came from Brian Hedger of the organization. He tweeted that both Nutivaara and Foligno were on the flight to Nashville with the team.

Those two on the flight is no guarantee that they will return to play against the Nashville Predators. It is a very encouraging sign that they will be ready for the playoffs. They have both practiced wth the team as well.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Jackets Deep and Deadly

When these two return the Jackets will have a full roster of weapons and be able to put forward a deadly, deep lineup. They are already rolling three solid lines and two and half pairs of defensemen (sorry Jack).

The lineup will look something like this when these two return.

Panarin – Dubois – Atkinson

Jenner – Wennberg – Vanek

Bjorkstrand – Foligno – Milano

Anderson – Letestu – Calvert

Jones – Werenski

Savard – Cole

Nutivaara – Murray

This roster will be deeper on the blue line than any team in the playoffs outside of Nashville. The forwards can counter any team as well and provide a great blend of scoring prowess and defensive depth.

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This roster doesn’t have the top line talent that Pittsburgh or Tampa Bay has but it has depth that should scare every NHL team.