Columbus Blue Jackets: Nick Foligno, Markus Nutivaara Ready to Return

Today both Foligno and Nutivaara fully participated in the Columbus Blue Jackets practice.

Big news out of practice today for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Both Nick Foligno and Markus Nutivaara participated fully and will be ready to go in game one against the Washington Capitals. The news is a huge boost to the Jackets as they look to win their first playoff series ever.

Nuti will draw in alongside his third pair partner Ryan Murray. Jack Johnson will be scratched in place of Nutivaara who was playing top notch hockey before suffering an injury in Calgary. The injury was suffered after he had already scored a goal, his second in as many games.

Nuti and Murray are a premier third pair and Torts has no problem putting out the pair against anyone. They both skate so well and move the puck up the ice nearly as efficiently as Zach Werenski and Seth Jones.

Columbus Blue Jackets

Jack has struggled all season and is the obvious choice to take a seat. Jack finished the regular season with the lowest plus/minus and Corsi among Jackets defenseman with over 500 minutes on the ice. His rough season could be his last as a member of the Columbus Blue Jackets with his contract expiring at the end of this year.

Milano Out for the Captain

With Captain Nick Foligno returning, coach John Tortorella had a much more difficult decision to make with the forward to sit. Unfortunately it will be Sonny Milano that takes a seat, at least for game one.

Sonny has played well this season posting 22 points in just 55 games. The rookie has three points in the last five games but has drawn the short straw and will sit for Foligno. The tough choice likely came down to Sonny or Brandon Dubinksy. Dubi likely got the nod due to his playoff experience and physical style of play he will implement as he shadows Nick Backstrom.

I would imagine Nick will go back to centering the second/third line with Oliver Bjorkstrand and Josh Anderson on his wings. This will bump Mark Letestu down to center the fourth line with Dubinsky and Calvert on the wings.

Next: CBJ vs Caps Goalie Comparison

Having both Nuti and Foligno back for the start of the playoffs is great news for the Jackets. Both are good skaters and provide another layer of offensive firepower the Jackets will need to keep up with the Caps.