With Werenski and Jake Bean out for the entire four-game stretch and Adam Boqvist also scratched Tuesday, the Jackets defensive corps stepped up, and now the good news is Werenski gets to be back on the ice
tonight at Nationwide Arena against the Los Angeles Kings
.
"I watched all the games," Werenski said. "I think as of late, our whole group, guys have been stepping up. It's been fun watching guys step up and help contribute to the team. I think when I was out, we went 2-2 but we played some good hockey against Pittsburgh. Obviously, the Carolina game was tough, but I'm happy with the way the guys battled. Guys stepped up. It sucks being out, but when you can watch the guys work like that and play good hockey, it makes it better for sure."
It will nice, though, to get Werenski back, as the All-Star defenseman had a six-game point streak (2-6-8) before he left the lineup with an upper-body injury and also is fifth in the NHL with 26:03 average time on ice. He does it all for the Jackets, and he will be back in to play big minutes as a tough stretch continues vs. the Kings.
"Obviously it sucks missing games and watching, but it's part of hockey," Werenski said. "Stuff happens. I'm happy to be back tonight."