The Fourth Period :: Columbus Blue Jackets


January 23, 2012 \| 10:37am ET

Nikitin suffers injury
TheFourthPeriod.com

Blue Jackets defenseman Nikita Nikitin sustained a knee injury during the third period of Saturday's 3-2 shootout loss to the Detroit Red Wings.

According to the , the 25-year-old was shoved into the boards from behind by Wings forward Henrik Zetterberg as they were both trying to retrieve the puck close to the end boards. Zetterberg placed his left glove in the small of Nikitin's back and pushed him gently.

Nikitin was knocked out of balance and crashed into the boards at full speed, causing him to put all of his weight on his left leg.

Zetterberg was assigned a five-minute major boarding penalty and a game misconduct, but will not face suspension.

Nikitin will miss the upcoming two contests and will be re-evaluated following the All-Star break. The injury is not expected to force him to miss significant time.

In 38 games with the Jackets this season, Nikitin has tallied two goals and 16 assists for 18 points.

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