Blue Jackets’ Sean Monahan Exits With Upper-Body Injury

The bruises keep coming for Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Monahan, who exited Thursday night’s game before the third period due to an upper-body injury. Monahan also sustained a lower-body injury in last Friday’s matchup against the Buffalo Sabres. He missed one day of practice but no game action with that injury.

Columbus will hope he can rebound just as quickly from a new, upper-body injury. Monahan has remained an important part of the Blue Jackets lineup. He has recorded six points, 11 shot blocks, and a minus-five through 16 games so far. Monahan’s 53.3 faceoff percentage also ranks third among Blue Jackets centermen, behind Adam Fantilli and Charlie Coyle.

The Blue Jackets will face a unique issue if Monahan is forced to miss time. Only three Blue Jackets have taken at least 50 faceoffs this season – their trio of centers, who each have more than 200 so far. Monahan’s absence would likely rotate Cole Sillinger back to the center position. It could also bring center Luca Del Bel Belluz back into the NHL lineup. Del Bel Belluz has appeared in eight games this season, with no scoring. He has 10 points in 38 career appearances in the NHL.

Columbus could also tap AHL centers Luca Pinelli or Owen Sillinger. The duo lead the Cleveland Monsters in scoring with 12 and 10 points respectively. How the Blue Jackets decide to approach their replacement could be directly tied to the duration of Monahan’s absence. No matter who fills in, extra focus will be placed on Fantilli and Coyle to drive the offense.