Patrik Laine is expected to miss 3-4 weeks for the Columbus Blue Jackets because of a sprained ankle.
The forward was injured during a 4-3 overtime loss at the New York Islanders on Saturday. He played 22:29 and was on the ice when Islanders forward Zach Parise scored 39 seconds into overtime.
Laine has four points (two goals, two assists) in eight games. He missed six games earlier this season after sustaining a sprained right elbow against the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 12 that was expected to keep him out 3-4 weeks.
“It’s a tough situation, adversity is going to happen,” said Boone Jenner, Blue Jackets captain and Laine’s linemate. “Obviously very unfortunate for him just coming back from an injury and it happens again. You can’t plan for that.
“It’s just unfortunate but it’s time for us to get even tighter as a group. It’s an opportunity for some guys to step up and everyone needs to play better in his absence.”
The Blue Jackets are missing their top defense pair. Zach Werenski is out for the season because of a dislocated shoulder and torn labrum, and Nick Blankenburg is expected to be out 6-8 weeks because of a fractured ankle and high ankle sprain. They were injured during a 5-2 win against the Philadelphia Flyers on Nov. 10.
Forward Jakub Voracek is out indefinitely because of an upper-body injury sustained Nov. 4. “He’s not even in the discussion right now,” Larsen said.
“It’s hockey and it seems like it’s coming in waves with us right now with some key guys,” coach Brad Larsen said. “But what do you do? You’ve just got to go play.”
Forward Sean Kuraly, who has been day to day because of an upper-body injury sustained Nov. 5, practiced Monday and could play when the Blue Jackets (4-9-1) open a season-long six-game homestand against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday (7:30 p.m. ET; ESPN+, HULU, SN NOW). Defenseman Erik Gudbranson, who missed the loss to the Islanders because of an upper-body injury, also practiced Monday and could play Tuesday.
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