Rick Bowness just ruled Conor Garland out for Tuesday night's Blue Jackets game against the Panthers, per DMaetzMedia.
The Columbus forward is dealing with an upper-body injury, and the team doesn't know how long he'll be out. Florida visits to close out its road trip, and the Panthers arrive on a two-game skid after Sunday's 1-4 loss at Boston.
DMaetzMedia reported that Bowness said Garland will not be available against Florida and that the team is not certain how long he could be sidelined.
Garland's numbers this season are modest: no goals and one assist in 15 games, with a -5 rating. The Blue Jackets have lost a regular, and that's all the sheet confirms about what this means for their lines.
Columbus sits 27th in the NHL at 7-8-0 and was beaten 2-5 at Buffalo on Friday. The Blue Jackets have been far better at home (6-3-0) than away (1-5-0), so Tuesday is the kind of game they like.
Florida is 9-7-2, fifth in the Atlantic and four points back of third place. A third straight loss would make that gap a real problem.
Can the Panthers take advantage of a thinner Columbus lineup?
They should, but the opponent's lineup isn't what has cost Florida lately. Sunday's loss in Boston is the better evidence.
Jacob Markstrom stopped 32 of 36 shots and still lost 4-1, while Brady Tkachuk finished with 25 penalty minutes and Matthew Tkachuk with 16. That's a lot of time spent killing penalties for a team that scored once.
Say it plainly: if the Panthers take that kind of night to Columbus, Garland's absence won't matter. A weakened Blue Jackets lineup helps only a team that stays out of the box and finishes the chances it creates.
Florida has now lost at Washington and at Boston in succession. Its last 10 stands at 5-5-0, and the goal differential is a slim +1.
Paul Maurice's group gets the chance to fix it Tuesday in Columbus. The Blue Jackets are expected to provide more word on Garland's status closer to puck drop.
Quick hits
NEW YORK RANGERSDylan Garand gets the nod in Edmonton tonight. A road start against the Oilers is a real test for him.
VANCOUVER CANUCKSJeff Paterson reports Leevi Merilainen went through starter's drills at morning skate ahead of the Flyers tonight. The Canucks' skid sits at five, so the crease matters.
WINNIPEG JETSMitchell Clinton reports Nico Daws worked in the starter's net at Jets practice today. That's a hint worth watching.
EDMONTON OILERSRyan Nugent-Hopkins is good to go tonight against the Rangers, per RotoWire, after skating with a full bubble visor. Good news for Edmonton.
OTTAWA SENATORSRidly Greig is back at practice this morning, and the lines shared by NHL Game Day Lines put him on the third line a day before Winnipeg.
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