Crashing the Net: defenseman Ryan Murray set to return to lineup

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The much-anticipated return to the lineup of defenseman Ryan Murray will occur tonight when the puck drops between the Blue Jackets and the visiting Edmonton Oilers.

"I've done this a couple of times," said Murray of coming back from injury. "Hopefully, I'm here to stay now. It's frustrating (not playing), but it's all in the past. It's been a long road with a couple of injuries. I'm looking forward to playing tonight and bringing positive energy to the team."

Murray, selected 2nd overall in the 2012 draft, has played only seven games this season, recording one assist. The 21 year old played just three games after returning from a knee injury before suffering a high-ankle sprain on February 6 in a game against the St. Louis Blues.

Despite missing so much of his sophomore season, his poise and hockey sense with the puck should pick up right where it was prior to the injuries. He has shown that poise in previous returns to the lineup from injury.

"There's probably going to be a little rust," said Blue Jackets head coach Todd Richards, "and those types of things that go with missing some hockey. For one thing, Ryan is a smart, efficient player. He usually doesn't make it much harder on himself than it has to be."

"He's a good first-pass guy that keeps it simple. He's a good defender; being in the right place to make plays."

As Murray is behind in his development after almost two years in the league due to injuries, getting him into the lineup now that he's healthy is paramount as he prepares for another offseason. "Getting the reps" as the saying goes, will only aid him in the long run.

Richards did not indicate who would come out of the lineup to make room for Murray, saying "there's still some questions with our lineup."

Identity found?

There has to be some consternation on the part of both the coaches and the players that were here last season for their inability to play to their identity on a consistent basis this year. The rollercoaster, Jekyll and Hyde-nature of last year has not been as pronounced in 2014-15. And yet, the consistency still is not there.

"Consistency is probably the biggest thing," said Todd Richards about what's been missing from their game. "We've had moments where we've played that way and moments that we haven't. The consistency comes from our focus. It's got to start tonight in our first period."

"Our first periods at home haven't been good. Our first periods on the road have been much better. Why is that? We played last night in Detroit and essentially we're going into the game tonight with the same lineup. How are we going to start tonight?"

The goal has to be to finish the stretch run the way that they've played the last five periods of hockey. There can no longer be any excuses as to why they don't play that way on a consistent basis. There really is too much pride in the room to let that happen.

"It comes down to a focus and a commitment, a preparation of doing it the right way. It's doing the things that will allow us to have success."

Projected Lineup

Forwards: Atkinson / Johansen / Foligno

Dano / Wennberg / Hartnell

Dubinsky (game time decision)/ Anisimov / Bourque

Tropp / Letestu / Boll

Defense: Johnson / Savard

Tyutin / Murray

Connauton / Goloubef

Goal: Bobrovsky with McElhinney as backup

Scratches: Clarkson, Adams, Prout, Adams