The Blue Jackets have lost one of the bright lights on their defensive core just as the playoff chase heads into its final stretch. Ryan Murray will be out for the next four to six weeks after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery on Saturday. Murray left the Blue Jackets 2-1 against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday with what was called a “lower-body injury” at the time.
The 20-year-old Murray, was the No. 2 pick in the 2012 NHL draft, and has been a big part of the Blue Jackets blue line this season. His 1,207:37 of time on the ice is second amongst all NHL rookies this season, and his average of 19:47 of ice time per game is fourth on the Blue Jackets.
Murray has three goals and 17 assists for 20 points and a +3 plus/minus rating in 61 games so far this season. He also ranks third among all rookies with 93 blocked shots. He has been a steady two-way presence for the bluelines and his play shows a maturity that is not often seen in 20-year-old defencemen, or in NHL rookies.
Columbus is just two points behind the Detroit Red Wings for the last playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They are also just three points back of the New York Rangers for third place in the Metropolitan Division. Columbus is in Nashville for a game against their former Central Division rival Predators tonight.
Murray missed most of last season in the WHL with a shoulder injury.
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