The Columbus Blue Jackets took a hit to their defense corps Saturday night against the Buffalo Sabres, when defenseman Ryan Murray injured his hand while blocking a Tyler Ennis shot in the first period of their 5-3 loss to the Sabres. Murray is expected to miss four to six weeks with the injury, which will put him out for the rest of the regular season. Kyle Quincey, who was acquired at the trade deadline for defenseman Dalton Prout, will step into his place on the third defensive pairing alongside Markus Nutivaara.
Ryan Murray to miss 4-6 weeks with a broken hand → https://t.co/jaVyhzywjW #CBJ pic.twitter.com/m1CMn2mGwc
— Columbus Blue Jackets (@BlueJacketsNHL) March 13, 2017
Ryan Murray Injured 4-6 Weeks With Broken Hand
Murray, the fourth year defenseman out of White City, Saskatchewan and the Everett Silvertips was selected number two overall by Columbus in the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. He had totaled two goals and 11 assists in his 60 games this season, down from the four goals and 25 assists he tallied last season, while playing in all 82 games for Blue Jackets. His Corsi for percentage is last on the team at 45.7 and his Fenwick for percentage is second lowest on the team at 45.5, only ahead of Matt Calvert among players who have played at least 50 games this season.
His replacement in the Blue Jackets lineup, Kyle Quincey, hasn’t been much better this season. He posted a 47.7% Corsi for and a 48.2% Fenwick for during his time with the New Jersey Devils this season. His Corsi rating was good for eighth on the Devils and his Fenwick rating put him at 12 for New Jersey. So although he ranked well on his team, that is an indication of just how poor the Devils have played this season. Kyle Quincey does, however, bring playoff experience to a young Columbus team. As a third-pairing defenseman, he won’t be expected to carry a heavy load for a team destined to make the playoffs.
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