Columbus' Nikitin Has Big Night Friday: Nikita Nikitin scored two goals, including the game winner, and added an assist in Columbus' 4-1 win over Florida on Friday night. (Updated 03/30/2012)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 5/27/12).
Fantasy Analysis
It was his third multi-point game in his past five games during which time he's put up eight points (2G, 6A) and a plus-4 rating. Nikita Nikitin is worth a look in deeper leagues as he has some offensive upside and is playing over 20 minutes a night for the Blue Jackets. (Updated 03/30/2012).
04/04/2012 11:04 Video: Boyd Gordon can barely stand up after blocking two shots
Boyd Gordon did what he had to do for the Phoenix Coyotes on Tuesday night, scoring the game-winning goal and throwing himself in front of two Nikita Nikitin slap shots. He could barely stand up after blocking them.
03/30/2012 21:54 Nikitin, Umberger score two each in Blue Jackets' win over Panthers
Defenseman Nikita Nikitin scored twice and had an assist, R.J. Umberger also had two goals, and Allen York made 30 saves in the Columbus Blue Jackets' 4-1 victory over the Florida Panthers on Friday.
03/23/2012 21:58 Umberger nets hat trick, Jackets win
R.J. Umberger had three goals for the third time in his career and Steve Mason stopped 39 shots Friday night to lead the Columbus Blue Jackets to a 5-1 victory over Carolina, dealing a critical loss to the Hurricanes' diminishing playoff hopes.
Nikitin came over from Russia in the 2010 offseason and was playing his way onto the roster in training camp when he suffered a wrist injury. Once healthy, he was on the St. Louis-to-Peoria shuttle before sticking with the Blues for the final two and a half months. He skated his way to a plus-1 and was sixth on the team in blocked shots despite playing just 41 games and operating mostly as a seventh defenseman. The Blues love his size, but there's little in the way of fantasy value here. He'll compete with Ian Cole and Kent Huskins for the final two blue line spots, but it's likely the Blues would like to get Cole more playing time in the AHL, so look for Nikitin to make the roster when camp breaks. (Updated 8/16/11)
