One day after suffering a hard hit against the Islanders, Alexander Wennberg is out of the lineup for the Blue Jackets vs. New Jersey.
Columbus will be without the playmaking centerman who has 12 goals and 42 assists in 70 games, head coach John Tortorella said before today's 1 p.m. matinee at New Jersey.
Confirmed C Alexander Wennberg is out w a stiff neck. Held out as a precaution, Tortorella said. William Karlsson will move up in his spot.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) March 19, 2017
It is posited that Wennberg is feeling the effects of a hard hit into the boards during the second period of Saturday's game by New York's Ryan Strome. The hit did not garner a penalty on Strome, which did not please Mr. Tortorella.
John Tortorella not happy about the uncalled crosscheck to Alexander Wennberg: pic.twitter.com/IpNEDI3VEA
— 1st Ohio Battery (@1stOhioBattery) March 18, 2017
As Portzline said, center William Karlsson will move up into Wennberg's spot in the lineup, which included centering a line with Nick Foligno and Oliver Bjorkstarnd in Saturday's game.
That would likely mean center Lukas Sedlak, who returned from injured reserve earlier this week, will return to the lineup for the first time since Feb. 17.
Columbus can clinch the third playoff spot in franchise history with a win and also keep pace with Washington atop the Metropolitan Division.
