Sergei Bobrovsky Injury: Updates on Blue Jackets Goalie's Groin and Return

Columbus Blue Jackets star goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has been dealing with a groin injury since Dec. 10. However, he is ready to return.

Continue for updates.

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Bobrovsky Active vs. Capitals

Tuesday, Jan. 19

The Blue Jackets announced Bobrovsky will start Tuesday vs. Washington.

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Bobrovsky Continues to Struggle with Injuries

Bobrovsky missed extended time last season when he suffered a groin injury, and he wasn't able to play in the NHL All-Star Game as a result. With the goaltender dealing with another long-term issue, it doesn't bode well for the 27-year-old's long-term outlook.

StatsCentre highlighted how well Bobrovsky had been playing before going down in a Dec. 8 3-2 overtime loss to the Los Angeles Kings:

Curtis McElhinney replaced Bobrovsky between the pipes for Columbus. General manager Jarmo Kekalainen expressed optimism on Dec. 9 about the goalie's ability to fill in well, per the Columbus Dispatch's Aaron Portzline: "Curtis has been very good, and now he gets his chance again. Now we're going to have to find other ways to win hockey games. Bobrovsky has been keeping us in games, being the Bob we all know and love."

McElhinney has posted a 2-6-2 record this season with a 3.33 GAA. He hasn't proven himself as a full-time NHL starter and is a downgrade from the man ahead of him on the depth chart.

Injuries hit the Blue Jackets in a big way last season, and their hard luck appears to be continuing. Their most valuable player in Bobrovsky has now gone down twice, leaving Columbus in danger of sinking further into the Eastern Conference basement in 2015-16.