No update on Blue Jackets' Tyutin; Foligno may return

COLUMBUS -- Columbus Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards didn't divulge any reasons in his postgame briefing Saturday why defenseman Fedor Tyutin left after one period of the Blue Jackets' 4-3 double overtime victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 2 of their Eastern Conference First Round series at Consol Energy Center.

He remained secretive Sunday.

"No update on Fedor," Richards said. "We aren't going to get into injuries or what's going on with guys. You guys can ask all you want."

He generally has been forthcoming this season, but this is the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Columbus and Pittsburgh are tied at one game apiece heading into Game 3 Monday at Nationwide Arena (7 p.m. ET, NBCSN, CBC, RDS, FS-O, ROOT).

Tyutin was checked by Pittsburgh forward Chris Kunitz early in the game and later in the period by forward Tanner Glass and did not return. Tyutin, one of three Blue Jackets remaining from the most-recent time Columbus made the playoffs in 2009, had 6:55 of ice time in 10 shifts.

His status for Monday is unknown.

"He's a veteran guy that's played some big minutes for us, a steady Eddie back there," Columbus defenseman James Wisniewski said. "The way that our defense corps has been playing all year, you have to go with it. Obviously losing one of our older guys, our veteran guys hurts but somebody's got to step up."

If Tyutin doesn't play in Game 3, either Dalton Prout or Nick Schultz will replace him.

The news was better for left wing Nick Foligno, who has missed the past seven games with a lower-body injury.

He was medically cleared after the game Saturday and Richards was willing to discuss his situation.

"He skated today. He was good," Richards said. "We'll see about getting him in tomorrow."

It was an indication that the 18-goal scorer this season could return Monday. Foligno is eager to make his first appearance since April 3.

"I'm sure I'll be feeling it the first couple of shifts," he said.

Being a spectator in the playoffs hasn't been pleasant for Foligno, nor those around him.

"I've noticed I'm a terrible person to watch the game with," he said. "I'm hitting people, yelling and talking even more than I usually do. I'm sure a few guys are happy I'm going to be in the lineup. I'm less annoying that way."