Ryan Johansen will play Tuesday for Columbus Blue Jackets
The Columbus Blue Jackets, already with five players on injured reserve, avoided losing another skater when coach Todd Richards said center Ryan Johansen will play Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings.
Johansen didn’t practice Monday with what Richards told the team’s official website was lingering soreness from Saturday’s 2-1 win over the San Jose Sharks.
Without additional details available, The Columbus Dispatch offered some additional insight into what might be ailing Johansen:
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.
Richards would not say if that collision was the cause of Johansen’s injury, but said it is not considered to be long-term.
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Johansen has played in all 17 games for Columbus this season and is the team's leader with 20 points (six goals, 14 assists). The 22-year-old had a breakout campaign in 2013-14, scoring 33 goals and notching 63 points as the Blue Jackets reached the playoffs for the second time in franchise history.
Columbus is 6-10-1 this season. Their 13 points are currently tied with the Carolina Hurricanes for last place in the Eastern Conference's Metropolitan Division.
- Phil Watson