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Columbus Blue Jackets' Yegor Chinakhov on injury status: 'I’m good right now'
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- Columbus Blue Jackets' Yegor Chinakhov on injury status: 'I’m good right now'
After sweeping two games against the Detroit Red Wings during a four-game winning streak , including a frozen thriller Saturday at Ohio Stadium , the Blue Jackets expect more good news.
Yegor Chinakhov hopes to return to the Jackets' forward mix either Tuesday in Tampa or Thursday in South Florida after missing the past 39 games with an unspecified back injury that also cost him the final 17 games last season .
Columbus Blue Jackets right wing Yegor Chinakhov (59) and left wing Dmitri Voronkov (10) take the ice for practice at Ohio Stadium in preparation for the NHL Stadium Series game against the Detroit Red Wings on March 1.
After joining the Blue Jackets' outdoor practice Friday, Chinakhov practiced again Monday at the Ice Haus before joining his teammates for a flight to Tampa. He skated at left wing on a second line featuring captain Boone Jenner in the middle and Kent Johnson on the right.
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"Obviously, we stuck him on a line here (at practice) just to see how he conducted himself," Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason said. "We'll evaluate. We'll talk. We'll make a decision tonight or (Tuesday) morning and see how he comes out of a full practice and then we'll go from there."
Evason said there is a chance Chinakhov will play Tuesday. If not, the focus will shift to Thursday's game against the Florida Panthers , assuming Chinakhov doesn't have a setback. During his absence, he had multiple setbacks after returning to skating work. He was a full participant Monday, including a role on the right wing with the second power play.
"Sometimes, I was already practicing with the team and it's not one step back ... it's three, four steps back," Chinakhov said. "It's frustrating, for sure. But it's alright. Sometimes, (stuff) happens."
Mar 4, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; The “Russian line” of Columbus Blue Jackets left wing Dmitri Voronkov (10), right wing Yegor Chinakhov (59) and right wing Kirill Marchenko (86) celebrate a goal by Chinakhov during the third period of the NHL hockey game against the Vegas Golden Knights at Nationwide Arena. The Blue Jackets won 6-3.
Yegor Chinakhov eager to help Columbus Blue Jackets make playoff push
Neither the team nor Chinakhov have revealed the specifics of his injury. He played the first 21 games of the season without missing a game before the issue again flared up and pushed him out of the lineup.
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Chinakhov said he has talked to "six or seven" physicians, including one in Russia. He credits that doctor for helping him get to the point where he feels ready to play and said the team approved the consultation. Sources said Monday that Chinakhov underwent a minor procedure that involves the insertion of a small camera into his back but hasn't undergone corrective surgery.
Chinakhov felt discomfort in training camp, but it was slight enough to keep playing. The pain intensified during the season's first two months before reaching a point in late November where he couldn't continue to play. His last game was Nov. 27.
"For sure, it's pretty tough because every time, watching the game, you can't help (them) and just see how guys battle for a playoff spot," Chinakhov said. "It's hard."
Blue Jackets right wing Yegor Chinakhov takes a shot against the Oilers on Oct. 28.
The bright side is that 22 games remain, and he can still give the Blue Jackets a huge boost toward qualifying for the playoffs. Cole Sillinger (upper body) is now out along with Chinakhov, center Sean Monahan (wrist) and defenseman Erik Gudbranson (shoulder).
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Prior to leaving the lineup, Chinakhov had seven goals, seven assists and 14 points, and he's become more adept at playing a two-way game the past couple of years. Through four seasons, Chinakhov has missed 96 of 328 possible games due to injuries, which is a 29% absence rate.
"Maybe I need to push through this thing, but I don't know," Chinakhov said. "We'll see. I'm good right now and that's all I need. I'm so happy to help my team get a playoff spot, and then just do what I can do ... I want to extend the season because I missed a lot, and I just want to play in the playoffs in the NHL."
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Yegor Chinakhov hopes to play soon for Blue Jackets
