NEW YORK -- Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Curtis McElhinney left the game Thursday against the New York Rangers with a lower-body injury after playing one period. The injury is not considered serious and McElhinney will be re-evaluated Friday by the Blue Jackets medical staff.
"He's going to get checked out tomorrow," Columbus coach Todd Richards said. "Right now, it's nothing serious. But he'll get checked out by our doctors tomorrow."
McElhinney made 15 saves; he was replaced by Mike McKenna, who was making his first NHL appearance since Dec. 2, 2010 for the New Jersey Devils.
The Blue Jackets are without 2013 Vezina Trophy winner Sergei Bobrovsky, who is sidelined with a groin injury.
McElhinney took over as Columbus' starting goaltender when Bobrovsky was injured Dec. 3. Since then, with credit for the 4-2 win Thursday, McElhinney is 3-1-0 with a .930 save percentage.
McElhinney sustained the injury during the morning skate but was ruled to be all right to play. It was aggravated during the game.
"He did go down awkwardly in the practice," Richards said. "It felt fine for the rest of the day and getting ready for the game. But going down and getting up seemed to aggravate it."
McElhinney is 4-4-1 with a 2.26 goals-against average and .924 save percentage in 12 appearances. McElhinney was on the bench during the second period.
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