COLUMBUS — The Blue Jackets will try to stave off a playoff series sweep Tuesday night but they’ll do it without defenseman Zach Werenski, who will miss the rest of the postseason because of a broken cheekbone.
Stanley Cup Playoff First Round: Pittsburgh Penguins at Columbus Blue Jackets (Tue., 7:30 p.m./CNBC) -Pittsburgh leads series 3-0
The Blue Jackets announced the decision about Werenski Monday, one day after the 19-year-old rookie took a puck to the face on a shot by Pittsburgh’s Phil Kessel that opened a gash on his right cheek in the second period.
He played a couple shifts in the third period with a full facemask, but his eye swelled shut and he had to sit out the rest of the game. He tweeted a photo of his face after the game that showed his eye nearly swollen shut.
Pittsburgh won the game 5-4 in overtime for a 3-0 lead in their first-round series.