Werenski Sidelined by Illness vs Rangers

Columbus star defenseman Zach Werenski sits out tonight's clash with the Rangers due to illness, marking his fifth absence this season and snapping a scorching nine-game point streak. The Blue Jackets scramble to adjust without their blue-line leader, who's second among defensemen with 65 points in 54 games, as Egor Zamula steps in and Ivan Provorov eyes more ice time. This divisional road test carries weight for a Jackets squad leaning hard on Werenski's elite play amid a tight schedule.