The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that defenseman Ryan Murray will be out four-to-six weeks with a broken hand suffered Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres.

With just over four weeks remaining in the regular season, the injury is a significant blow to the Blue Jackets who may be forced to endure the start of the postseason without Murray.

Despite a drop in offensive production this season - due in part to the emergence of Zach Werenski - Murray has been solid on the back end, averaging the second most blocked shots among Blue Jackets skaters at 1.6.

He's also been a key cog in the club's penalty kill, which ranks 10th in the NHL and has chipped in two goals and 11 points in 60 games.

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