Columbus Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner nearing return
Columbus Blue Jackets captain Boone Jenner is getting close to returning from an injury that has sidelined him since Nov. 11 at the Seattle Kraken.
Just as Boone Jenner gets ready to rejoin the Blue Jackets’ lineup, Sean Monahan may need to sit out for a stretch.Â
Monahan, who’s been playing through nagging injuries, left with 8:42 remaining in the third period of the Jackets’ 5-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Dec. 1 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Monahan scored goals in the second and third periods for his second and third goals in the past two games. His first tied it 2-2, and the second gave the Blue Jackets a 4-2 lead with 12:46 left, scored 34 seconds after Charlie Coyle broke the 2-2 tie.
The Blue Jackets didn’t issue an injury update after the game, and they’re not scheduled to practice until Dec. 3 at Nationwide Arena. They’ll host the Detroit Red Wings there on Dec. 4 in a game that could include Jenner’s return from an upper-body injury that’s kept him out three weeks (10 games).
Jenner centered the second line at practice Nov. 30 in Columbus, giving Monahan a maintenance day off, but that could be where the Jackets’ captain fits into the lineup when ready. Losing Monahan for more than a game or two would be challenging, just like last season while he was out two-plus months.Â
As an experienced two-way center, Monahan anchors one of the Jackets’ top two forward lines, plays a key role on the top power play, kills penalties and wins draws. He’s got five goals, eight assists and 13 points in 26 games, and is second only to Jenner’s 56% in faceoff wins at 54.3%.Â
Blue Jackets reporter Brian Hedger can be reached at bhedger@dispatch.com and @BrianHedger.bsky.social