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Fantilli's Teeth Mark a Brutal Stretch for Jackets
16 Dec
Summary
- Adam Fantilli required five stitches after a high stick injury.
- Blue Jackets lost five consecutive games entering Tuesday.
- Fantilli stressed need for wins before Christmas break.
Adam Fantilli sustained a severe high-stick injury to his lip, requiring five stitches and causing significant bleeding during a recent game. Despite the pain, he briefly returned to the ice. Fantilli expressed the team's difficult situation, acknowledging their "brutal stretch" of five consecutive losses and stressing the importance of securing wins before the Christmas break to improve their playoff chances.
Coach Dean Evason is making strategic changes to address the team's offensive struggles, which have resulted in only six goals in their last four games. Yegor Chinakhov has been moved to the top six and the top power play unit. This adjustment aims to boost scoring as the Blue Jackets host the Anaheim Ducks.
The upcoming game against the Ducks is particularly concerning, as Anaheim boasts a revitalized roster with promising young players. The Blue Jackets also recall the rivalry surrounding the 2023 NHL draft, where Anaheim's selection of Leo Carlsson allowed Columbus to pick Fantilli.
