Blue Jackets rookie Nikita Filatov was disappointed with the chance he failed to convert last night.

In the context of his development, however, the winger was pleased with the opportunities he received.

Filatov, who failed on a shootout attempt, played a season-high 11 minutes, 33 seconds in a 3-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks. Coach Ken Hitchcock, missing two key forwards, had enough faith in Filatov to play him in the final three minutes of a tie game.

"It's a sign of trust," Filatov said. "I'm not usually on the ice in the final five or six minutes of a period."

Filatov, who had not played 10 minutes in a game this season, bounced around the third and fourth lines because an upper-body injury to center Mike Blunden forced Hitchcock to reshuffle his lines.

Filatov had sat out the previous two games recovering from back pains, which forced him to leave practice Saturday.

Filatov didn't look out of place against the Sharks, a perennial Western Conference contender. He made some nice passes and registered two shots. He had another scoring chance knocked away as he showed great patience, trying to toe-drag the puck between the circles.

Hitchcock allowed Filatov to take the first shot in the shootout. He tried to beat Evgeni Nabokov on the backhand, but the Sharks goaltender poked Filatov's stick as he was about to shoot.

"I should have shot the puck a little faster," Filatov said.

Injury update

The Jackets will be without center Derick Brassard (hand) and left winger Kristian Huselius (upper body) for a second straight game tonight in Atlanta, Hitchcock said. Defenseman Mike Commodore (charley horse) is doubtful.

The Jackets will recall forward Alexandre Picard from minor-league Syracuse.

Brassard practiced the past two days but couldn't squeeze his stick hard enough with his right hand to play. X-rays taken Monday revealed no break. Hitchcock said Huselius, who had a sling on his left arm last night, suffered his injury in practice Tuesday.

Commodore, who suffered the charley horse Friday against Pittsburgh, said the muscle was inflamed after practice. He also has missed time because of the flu and a groin strain.

Murphy returns

Assistant coach Gord Murphy returned to the bench after missing the past two games recovering from the H1N1 virus. Murphy was away from the team for five days.

The Jackets have not yet been vaccinated for the virus, general manager Scott Howson said.

Slap shots

Rick Nash donated the $25,000 check he received for winning the NHL Foundation Award to four charities. Jason Chimera has two goals against the Sharks this season and five in 22 games versus San Jose. Center Derek MacKenzie saw action after being an emergency recall from Syracuse.

treed@dispatch.com