By: Justin Gincauskas
The Columbus Blue Jackets could not escape Friday’s game against the Maple Leafs fully unscathed. Despite the 6-5 overtime victory, the Blue Jackets suffered a major loss, as the team announced that winger Patrik Laine would be out for the next six weeks with a fractured clavicle.
Laine sustained the injury in the second period when tripped by Toronto defenseman William Lagesson.
Laine’s injury is not the first significant injury Columbus has dealt with this week. Last Saturday, center Boone Jenner was placed on injured reserve after fracturing his jaw against the St. Louis Blues.
Laine has been struggling to stay healthy as of late. He already missed nine games near the beginning of the season with a concussion and then was out a few games with an illness earlier this month.
In 18 games played this season, Laine has registered six goals and three assists. Laine was heating up as of late, picking up four points in his last five games, which included a goal in Friday’s game.
The Blue Jackets have had a rocky start to the season thus far. They currently sit in last place in the Metropolitan Division and second to last in the Eastern Conference.
Laine and Jenner are not the only notable losses the Blue Jackets have had to injury this year. Columbus is currently without Jack Roslovic, Damon Severson, and Adam Boqvist, all of whom are on the injured reserve.
Blue Jackets head coach Pascal Vincent was dejected talking about the Patrik Laine injury.
“He was playing such a good game yesterday. I saw Patrik playing better and better. He had the injury, got sick, and now the injury,” Vincent said. “I just feel for him. Just unfortunate.”
Columbus will play their first game since Laine’s injury when they host the New Jersey Devils on Dec. 16 at 7 p.m. ET.
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