The Columbus Blue Jackets are taking the fastest route to last place overall in the National Hockey League (NHL), especially after taking four injuries to their infirmary on Monday.
• Also read: The Canadian can injure the Sabers
The last two meetings have injured some elements, including Mathieu Olivier, who will be out for two to four weeks with a lower leg bruise he sustained against the New York Islanders on Friday. There is also bad news for defender Erik Gudbranson, who is struggling with a dislocated shoulder. His absence is estimated at six weeks, but the jacket season ends on April 14.
For his part, goaltender Elvis Merzlikins (lower body) is a case judged on a daily basis. Failing to finish Saturday’s game against the Montreal Canadiens was replaced by Michael Hutchinson shortly after Rafaël Harvey-Pinard scored a hat-trick at his expense in the second half had completed. Nick Blankenburg, who also took part in the duel at the Bell Centre, will be out for at least a week with an ankle injury.
Before his visit to the New York Rangers on Tuesday, Columbus was ranked 31st in the NHL with 53 points. The San Jose Sharks are tied, but they played one game more. The odds of winning the May 8 amateur draft lottery will be higher if the roster ends in the basement.