Blue Jackets rookie winger Jake Voracek has had his responsibilities increased and decreased depending on the state of his game.

Voracek might get his biggest bump tonight in a critical game in Chicago. Coach Ken Hitchcock had the 19-year-old practicing on the top line yesterday with center Manny Malhotra and right winger Rick Nash.

An injury to Kristian Huselius(possible concussion) has forced Hitchcock to juggle his lineup as the team tries to nail down a playoff spot.

"We will see how it is chemistry-wise," Hitchcock said.

The coach watched a top line of R.J. Umberger, Malhotra and Nash struggle in Sunday's 1-0 overtime loss to the Blackhawks.

Voracek is 11th among NHL rookies in scoring (37 points) and second in assists (28).

"Jake is a good playmaker and a good passer," Nash said. "I think he will be a good complement to me and Manny."

Voracek, a left-handed shot, is eager for the opportunity to play on the top line and return to his natural wing position. He has played right wing most of the season.

"Nasher is one of the top 10 players in the league, and he and Manny have played well together," Voracek said. "I'll just try to fit in where I can."

Huselius out

Hitchcock said Huselius was not making the trip to Chicago but that he could join the team in St. Louis in time for Friday's game.

Huselius was injured on the first shift of Saturday's game in Nashville.

Rusty back again

Injury-plagued defenseman Rostislav Klesla returned to practice, and Hitchcock said he might play tonight. Klesla suffered an oblique-muscle injury March 28 in St. Louis.

"I'm not even sure how it happened," said Klesla, limited to 33 games because of a variety of injuries.

Shooting stars

The Jackets conducted a rare shootout drill in practice in hopes of finding a third candidate behind Nash and Jason Williams. Huselius normally participates in shootouts. Hitchcock used Jiri Novotny with no luck in Saturday's 5-4 shootout loss.

"When you are missing Huselius, you have to see others," Hitchcock said. "The guys took it (seriously) that was confirmed early when they weren't horsing around (in the drill)."

Quotable

Umberger on shootouts and how they impact a playoff race: "I'm somewhere in the middle of (the debate). I know fans like the excitement they create, but it can be a tough way to lose a point. At this point of the season, you hope it doesn't come down to a shootout (in terms of making the playoffs), but you know it could."

treed@dispatch.com