The Columbus Blue Jackets may be sitting with a disappointing 3-3-2 record, but they’ll get a big piece of their lineup back tonight. The team has activated Josh Anderson off injured reserve and expect him to be ready to go when the team takes on the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight. Anderson has played in just two of the team’s eight games this season, including a loss to the Maple Leafs at the beginning of the month.
Anderson, 25, has turned into quite the impressive player for the Blue Jackets over the last few years, working his way from a fourth-round lottery ticket to one of the most efficient power forwards in the league. Scoring 27 goals last season he ranked in the top-60 among all NHL players, firmly placing him among the best even-strength options. Add the fact that he recorded more than 200 hits for the first time in his career and you have a very impactful player.
His return should give the Blue Jackets a boost after dropping two straight games in overtime and give them a chance to overcome the high-flying Maple Leafs. Teams have tried to slow down Toronto’s skill players with physicality before and John Tortorella’s group will likely follow the same tactics tonight.