Another day, another potential injury. Such is life for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
For the myriad names that have been taken out of the lineup, budding superstar Ryan Johansen has been able to avoid that fate. Well, until now at least.
Johansen skipped practice on Monday and is questionable for tonight’s tilt with the Detroit Red Wings.
“We’ll see how he feels (this morning),” Head coach Todd Richards said. “He’s got a little bit more (than soreness). We’ll know more (today).”
While it doesn’t sound like anything serious – Richards told the Columbus Dispatch that he’s “banged up” and that the issue shouldn’t be long-term – it is yet another blow to the confidence the Blue Jackets are struggling to hold on to. Just when they get going, they lose another contributor from the lineup.
The Dispatch takes a guess at what the issue might be:
Johansen slammed his left shin into the goal post during the third period of a 2-1 win over San Jose on Saturday after being tripped and slipping to the ice during a mini-break.
He got up, appeared to skate off the pain and was back for his next shift.
The Blue Jackets are struggling mightily this year as it is. Prior to winning their last two, they were riding a franchise-record nine-game losing streak. Without Johansen and his 20 points in 17 games, one can only imagine where the team would be in the standings.
The team is getting healthier with Matt Calvert and Jack Skille practicing on Monday, but losing Johansen for any amount of time would be catastrophic. Keep an eye out to see if he’ll be in the lineup tonight.
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