The Columbus Blue Jackets activated defenseman Ryan Murray off the injured reserve on Saturday, the team announced.

Murray has missed the past 34 games after suffering a lower-body injury on Dec. 14 against the Ottawa Senators.

The 6-foot-1 blue-liner is a pivotal part of the Blue Jackets' defense corps. Columbus owns a 53.66% share of expected goals and a 57.58% share of high-danger scoring chances at five-on-five with Murray on the ice this season, according to Natural Stat Trick.

The 28-year-old's return comes at a critical point in Columbus' season with the team struggling defensively without blue-chip rearguard Seth Jones. The club has recorded just one win in its last 11 outings while conceding 3.72 goals per game during that stretch.

The Blue Jackets occupy the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot entering Saturday's action.

Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.