The Columbus Blue Jackets‘ 2022-23 campaign could be off to an ominous start.Â
Blue Jackets star forward Patrik Laine left Wednesday’s season opener against the Carolina Hurricanes with what the team called an upper-body injury.Â
Midway through the second period, Laine’s right arm appeared to get sandwiched awkwardly between Hurricanes defenseman Brett Pesce and the glass as the two chased down a loose puck near the corner boards.Â
Laine was off to an impressive start before exiting the game with an injury. Just 11 seconds into the second period, Laine scored the Blue Jackets’ first goal of the season, giving Columbus a 1-0 lead.Â
Laine’s second-period goal was all the offense that the Blue Jackets could muster on Wednesday night, as they ultimately fell to the Hurricanes, 4-1.Â
The 24-year-old averaged a point per game in his first full season with Columbus last year. He finished third on the team in points (56), posting 26 goals and 30 assists over 56 regular-season games.Â
