It's not the worst news to hear, but for a team riding a wave of momentum after a shaky start, it's not great news either.
It was reported on Wednesday morning by Aaron Portzline of The Athletic that Columbus Blue Jackets forward Artemi Panarin missed practice due to an illness.
Told #CBJ Artemi Panarin is under the weather, which explains his absence from practice. D Ryan Murray is taking a maintenance day.
— Aaron Portzline (@Aportzline) November 14, 2018
His status of playing in the home game against the Florida Panthers on Thursday is therefore to be determined.
Noteworthy to help confirm the report is a photo of the Blue Jackets visiting and meeting patients at Nationwide Children's Hospital today, with Panarin missing from the photo.
#CBJ players spending time this afternoon meeting children at @nationwidekids pic.twitter.com/32aFKRuVQS
— Jerod Smalley (@JerodNBC4) November 14, 2018
Panarin is the Blue Jackets' leading point-getter with 18 points in as many games. Missing potentially one game of 82 is completely reasonable for any player, but there never is a good time for it to happen.
The Blue Jackets are the current leaders of the Metropolitan Division with 22 points (10-6-2), being closely tailed by the New York Islanders and New York Rangers, who both have 20.
Illness has affected the Blue Jackets' lineup once already this season, with Cam Atkinson missing last Friday's game in Washington, D.C. He did return to play the following night against the New York Rangers.
