Blue Jackets center Sean Kuraly is "week-to-week" after injury against Canadiens

Bill Rabinowitz, Columbus Dispatch

Blue Jackets center Sean Kuraly will miss the next several games with a lower-body injury sustained in Tuesday night’s 3-0 loss at Montreal, coach Pascal Vincent said Wednesday.

Vincent said Kuraly is “week-to-week” after being hurt midway through the third period.

Feb 29, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Kuraly (7) makes a pass during the third period of the NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets lost 4-2.
Feb 29, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets center Sean Kuraly (7) makes a pass during the third period of the NHL hockey game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets lost 4-2.

The news was better on right wing Yegor Chinakhnov, who sustained an upper-body injury in the first period Tuesday and did not return. Vincent termed his timetable day-to-day.

March 9, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Yegor Chinakhov (59) is pursued by Nashville Predators defenseman Dante Fabbro (57) during the third period of a hockey game Saturday at Nationwide Arena.
March 9, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Yegor Chinakhov (59) is pursued by Nashville Predators defenseman Dante Fabbro (57) during the third period of a hockey game Saturday at Nationwide Arena.

The Blue Jackets added forward Mikael Pyyhtia (pronounced PEW-tee-uh) as an emergency recall from the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League. Pyyhtia played in two games at the end of last season, registering one assist.

Kuraly has only nine goals and eight assists in 57 games this season, but that’s not how the Dublin native’s value to the Blue Jackets is best measured.

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“He's a glue guy,” Vincent said. “He's a leader. He brings intensity. He brings people in the fight. Huge on the (penalty kill). He competes hard −just that alone is huge. Key faceoffs. It's so many things.”

Vincent said he expects Kuraly back before the end of the season.

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“I certainly hope so,” he said. “I believe so. Knowing Kuraly, it might be a few days. He's a tough man.”

Right wing Kirill Marchenko missed Tuesday’s game with an illness. Vincent said he hopes he’ll be back for Thursday’s home game against Ottawa.

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“He feels better today,” Vincent said. “He’s still a bit pale, but he feels better. He should be good tomorrow.”

Forward Alexandre Texier was not at Wednesday’s practice, but Vincent said it was merely a maintenance day for him.

The Blue Jackets are also without right wing Justin Danforth (concussion).

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Blue Jackets center Kuraly will miss weeks after injury Tuesday night

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