"The Blue Jackets haven't been hit with the most injuries in the NHL this season, but it sure does feel that way.
The severity and timing of those injuries, and to whom they occurred, have left the Blue Jackets bruised, broken and always incomplete. The list grew by two on Thursday night, when defenseman Marc Methot suffered a broken jaw and right winger Jared Boll a broken right foot in a 4-2 loss to the Dallas Stars.
That list got longer yesterday when interim coach Todd Richards revealed that goaltender Curtis Sanford, arguably the team's MVP, suffered a back injury late in the third period. Sanford, who missed four games because of back and hip injuries in December, did not travel to Minnesota for a game tonight against the Wild.
"It's unfortunate, but it is what it is," Richards said. "You have to deal with it."
Six teams have dealt with worse, at least according to the number of man games lost to injury. (Man games lost to injury are not tracked by the NHL but are compiled by every team's public relations staff.) The Blue Jackets ranked seventh in man-games lost (237) heading into last night's games.
But it has been the caliber of player and the nature of their injuries that have taken a ridiculous toll. Not once have the Blue Jackets had their preferred lineup.
"It's a fluke season," said defenseman James Wisniewski, who could return from a broken ankle ahead of schedule tonight. "We're not this bad. But we're not a really deep team, and when Pittsburgh has (Sidney) Crosby hurt, other guys can step up. That's what makes them a great team."
