NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Starting with a 3-0 win Wednesday over Florida, the Blue Jackets will play 13 games in 23 days to close out 2009. Only once will they go two days without a game -- Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, mandatory days off in the NHL.

Alas, there was dual meaning earlier this week when coach Ken Hitchcock restructured three of the four forward lines. There was more to it than simply sparking some slumping players.

"We now have lots of forwards, and we're going to play four lines," Hitchcock said. "Guys are going to get their minutes, but there are other guys who can contribute here. We're going to roll four lines.

"That's the strength of our hockey club, the depth we have up front."

Hitchcock, like every hockey coach since the puck was invented, goes into games planning to use four lines and hoping to lessen the load on scoring lines and the checking line by spreading out the minutes.

But it doesn't always work that way, and it hasn't for the Blue Jackets because of injuries and ineffectiveness at even strength.

The injuries have started to clear, giving Hitchcock options, both in line combinations and candidates to be healthy scratches.

Right winger Derek Dorsett (concussion) and left winger Andrew Murray (shoulder) returned to the lineup in recent days, and left winger Fredrik Modin (knee) is expected back Saturday against Anaheim.

The key to the new line combinations could be center Derick Brassard, who was taken off the No. 2 line and put between left winger Raffi Torres and right winger Derek Dorsett.

It's probably the fourth line, but -- depending on how it plays relative to the No. 2 line -- the minutes could be more than that of a typical No. 4 line.

"We created a lot of scoring chances and we played smart hockey," Brassard said. "I've played with (Dorsett) before (in the minor leagues), but I haven't had much time with Raffi. We'll see. You don't want to say too much after one game, but if it's a line that works, that's good for all of us."

The real test to this theory of playing four lines will come when the Blue Jackets fall behind, especially late in games.

"We want to get to a point of trust where we trust all the players we're putting on the ice," Hitchcock said. "We want four effective lines. We're going to need it."

Slap shots

After much debate, the Blue Jackets decided to stick with their original plan, starting Mathieu Garon in goal last night in Nashville. Hitchcock said Steve Mason will likely get six of the next seven starts. The Blue Jackets will put center Derek MacKenzie and/or right winger Michael Blunden on waivers today. They need to clear at least one roster spot to activate Modin.

aportzline@dispatch.com