Injuries will test depth
Here’s one streak that might rival the Blue Jackets’ 16-game winning streak for hardest to fathom:
From Nov. 21 to Jan. 14 — a span of 26 games — the Blue Jackets used the same six defensemen, going nearly a third of the season without making lineup changes based on injuries or ineffectiveness.
It couldn’t last, of course.
When the Blue Jackets play the Carolina Hurricanes today at Nationwide Arena, there’s a good chance David Savard and Markus Nutivaara will be out of the lineup nursing undisclosed injuries.
“I’m not sure what the status of the guys is, but we’ve got some nicks there,” coach John Tortorella said.
The suspicion is that Savard is suffering from back spasms, given the odd scene that played out during the second period of a 2-0 loss to Ottawa on Thursday.
Savard couldn’t sit for the entire second period. The discomfort was too great. He would take a shift, then return to the bench and stand off to the side until his number came up again. After two shifts in the third period, Savard’s evening ended.
“We’ve said all along, that by the end of the season we’re going to be seven, eight, nine, 10 guys deep on the depth chart,” Tortorella said. “That’s just how this league works. It’s not the end of the world. It’s opportunity, and you keep finding out about your team as far as the depth of your team.”
Although the Blue Jackets were thriving and healthy, defenseman Dalton Prout and Scott Harrington were waiting for a turn and trying not to develop rust.
Both took conditioning assignments to minor-league Cleveland and both spent long mornings on the ice after practice.
Tortorella might have axed most morning skates for the Blue Jackets, but Prout and Harrington couldn’t pass up the chance.
“It’s been a different situation for myself and Prouter, but it’s a chance to work on certain parts of your game,” Harrington said.
“It’s almost like an extension of the stuff you try to improve over the summer.”
Assistant coach Brad Shaw has reassured both players on numerous occasions that their inactivity was less a reflection of them and more a result of a team that has been healthy and winning. Harrington and Prout said captain Nick Foligno has played a part, too, making sure both players feel a part of the club.
“When you’re not playing, you’re like a lost puppy,” Prout said.
“You don’t know where to go. By nature, men aren’t good communicators. So Fliggy has been great for us. You can tell yourself a million times over that you’re a part of it, but to hear it from a peer, from the captain, a coach … it means so much more.”
Prout played defense Thursday for the first time since Nov. 12. Harrington played Tuesday for the first time since Nov. 20.
Tortorella indicated they could form the third pair tonight if Savard and Prout can’t play.
“Teams have gone through it (with injuries),” Tortorella said. “And now we’re going to go through it.”