The Columbus Blue Jackets announced that their captain, left winger Nick Foligno is sidelined for one to two weeks with a lower-body injury. This is coming after Foligno left last night’s 5-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins.
#CBJ say Nick Foligno will miss 1-2 weeks with a lower-body injury.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) February 19, 2018
Nick Foligno Injured
So far this season, he scored 13 goals and 13 assists for 26 points in 59 games. He also added 46 minutes in penalties. His possession numbers are 51.2 percent Corsi, and a -0.8 relative Corsi
Over his 11-year NHL career Foligno has played for the Ottawa Senators and the Columbus Blue Jackets. He has put up 167 goals and 226 assists for 393 career points in 755 career games. He was originally drafted in the first round, 28th overall of the 2006 NHL draft by the Ottawa Senators.
What This Means for the Future
The Blue Jackets are headed into a critical stretch of the season. Columbus is just one point out of a wildcard spot right now. Divisional opponents like the New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers, and the Washington Capitals are all on the schedule in the next two weeks. With the Blue Jackets, recent struggles and the important schedule ahead this is not a good time for Columbus to lose their captain.
While Foligno has not been having a great scoring season, he had an excellent last five games with three goals and one assist. Most of all Foligno’s leadership and experience would have greatly benefited the Blue Jackets during this tough stretch. Columbus will have to hope they can get through the next couple of weeks without their captain. If the Blue Jackets can’t survive this stretch their Stanley Cup Playoff hopes will most likely come to an end. Columbus has called up Zac Dalpe from the Cleveland Monsters to fill Foligno’s place. Dalpe has played 10 games with Columbus this season and has zero points and 13 penalty minutes.
NEWARK, NJ – DECEMBER 08: Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Nick Foligno (71) skates during the second period of the National Hockey League game between the New Jersey Devils and the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 8, 2017, at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. (Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
