The harm bug has bitten the Columbus Blue Jackets in a significant manner. Simply days after the staff positioned captain Boone Jenner on injured reserve, the Blue Jackets introduced that star winger Patrik Laine will miss six weeks with a fractured clavicle.

Within the second interval of the Blue Jackets’ 6-5 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday evening, Laine was tripped by Leafs defenseman William Lagesson. Laine went sliding into the boards awkwardly, and he left the sport with the help of medical trainers.

Earlier than the harm, Laine was coping with his share of struggles on the ice. He had solely scored six targets and tallied simply 9 factors in 18 video games. To make issues worse, Laine’s play at five-on-five was brutal, and Columbus had a minus-seven purpose differential with him on the ice in these conditions.

Regardless of Laine’s sluggish begin, he’s nonetheless a key participant for the Blue Jackets, particularly as an influence play weapon. With Laine sidelined for the following six weeks, Columbus should discover another person to fill his function because the set off man on the person benefit.

Between Laine and Jenner, the Jackets will probably be with out two of their most proficient forwards for the following six weeks. As a staff that was already effectively exterior the playoff image, Columbus could have hassle climbing out of that gap now.