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Sports reporter Aaron Portzline has covered the Blue Jackets since they arrived in Columbus as an NHL expansion franchise in 2000-01. Follow him on Twitter: @aportzline
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Michael Arace is a sports reporter and columnist who has written about the Blue Jackets since the birth of the franchise.
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Nikitin Suffers Knee Injury
Blue Jackets defenseman Nikita Nikitin suffered a knee injury when he was knocked off balance by Detroit's Henrik Zetterberg and crashed awkwardly into the boards during Saturday's shootout loss to the Red Wings.
GM Scott Howson told The Dispatch today that Nikitin will not play in the final two games before the NHL's All-Star Game break, and will be evaluated again after the break. But it does not appear to be a significant injury.
This is very good news for the Blue Jackets and Nikitin, obviously, and more than a little surprising. Nikitin slammed feet-first into the end boards after toppling backward at high speed just above the goal line. All of his weight was absorbed by his left leg, his left ankle crumpling badly before a thunderous boom.
It's unclear if the Blue Jackets will recall a defensemen today. The signing of Brett Lebda on Thursday gives them six defensemen, but they face a road back-to-back on Monday (Nashville) and Tuesday (Tampa Bay).
-- Aaron Portzline
twitter: @aportzline
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