There were no easy answers.

Left winger Kristian Huselius, who might have a concussion after banging his chin on the ice Saturday at Nashville, has been ruled out for a game Wednesday at Chicago.

"Nobody is feeling sorry for us," Hitchcock said. "We just have to find a way to keep playing well and getting points."

If they win one of their final three games and if Anaheim, St. Louis or Nashville loses just once, the Blue Jackets will qualify for the Stanley Cup playoffs for the first time in their eight-season history.

But it'll be that much harder without Huselius, the Blue Jackets' top playmaker and a fixture on the No. 1 line. Huselius is third on the Jackets in goals (21) and second in assists (35) and points (56).

"He's not done anything (physical) since he went down on Saturday," Hitchcock said.

Huselius was not available for comment.

It appeared Huselius was hurt on a hard check by Nashville's Greg Zanon off the opening face-off. As Huselius fell, his chin struck the ice, opening up a cut that required stitches.

He missed the rest of the first period, played briefly in the second, then missed the third period, overtime and shootout. He did not play Sunday in a 1-0 overtime loss to Chicago.

Hitchcock moved R.J. Umberger up to the left wing on the No. 1 line, taking Huselius' spot with center Manny Malhotra and right winger Rick Nash. But the line had no chemistry, generating just five shots on goal and only one scoring chance.

"It wasn't good," Hitchcock said. "It didn't quite come together with any chemistry, or produce like we thought those three players would when we decided to put them together.

"That's how it goes sometimes. We might look at some different combinations now."

Hitchcock ruled out the possibility that the team's No. 1 draft pick last year, Nikita Filatov, would take Huselius' spot. Filatov was recalled from minor-league Syracuse last week, but club officials want him here to soak up the playoff atmosphere, not necessarily play.

"We're not thinking that way yet," Hitchcock said. "We've got other guys who have spent the whole year here who we're trying to decide on."

The Jackets have four healthy extras on the roster: wingers Andrew Murray, Derek Dorsett and Filatov and center Chris Gratton.

Chimera looks good

Early in the first period against Chicago, left winger Jason Chimera did a splits of sorts after getting tangled up with a Blackhawks player in a corner.

His left leg went one way, his right another -- not exactly a position of choice for a player coming back from groin surgery.

"Didn't feel great, no," Chimera said. "But it's good to know I can do that without hurting it again. It gives you a little confidence in it, to be honest with you."

Chimera has his speed back, too.

That was evident when he skated all-out for about 100 feet and took a boarding call for drilling Chicago's Adam Burish from behind with 1:46 left in the first period.

"It's really good for us to get him back," Hitchcock said. "He's bringing us a lot of energy right now. He's got that element of speed that gives (an opposing) defense just one more thing they have to worry about."

No news not good news

Left winger Fredrik Modin (sprained left knee) and defenseman Rostislav Klesla (oblique strain) have not resumed skating and are unlikely to play on the Blue Jackets' upcoming two-game trip -- Wednesday at Chicago and Friday at St. Louis.

aportzline@dispatch.com