Kirill Marchenko Suffers Broken Jaw, Out At Least Six Weeks

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kirill Marchenko sustained a broken jaw after being hit by an errant puck while sitting on the bench during a game against the Dallas Stars. The incident occurred in the second period, and Marchenko was taken to a hospital in Dallas for treatment, with recovery expected to take six to eight weeks. This injury poses a significant setback for the Blue Jackets, who are already without center Sean Monahan due to a long-term wrist injury. Marchenko has had a breakout season, leading the team with 21 goals and 55 points and boasting a league-best plus-31 rating. The Blue Jackets, currently fighting for a playoff spot, may need to consider adding a scoring forward before the trade deadline to compensate for Marchenko's absence. Meanwhile, Boone Jenner's return could help stabilize the team as they navigate through these challenges.