Wisniewski returns sooner than expected

James Wisniewski probably could have used another few days to make sure his right ankle, fractured on Dec. 29, was fully healed and ready for action.

With the Blue Jackets season already in the tank, there didn't seem to be much reason for Wisniewski to hurry.

But with injuries piling up for the Blue Jackets, especially on the blue line, Wisniewski pushed his return ahead at least a couple of days and played in Saturday's 3-1 win over the Minnesota Wild in Xcel Energy Center.

"I felt good out there," Wisniewski said. "I was short of breath only one time, but it happened right at a TV timeout, so I was thrilled. The ankle felt great; no problems.

"If it feels good and I feel good about it, there's no reason I shouldn't play. I wouldn't have gone if I didn't think it was OK, but we really need a lift right now."

The Blue Jackets, who next host Anaheim on Sunday, are without Nikita Nikitin, Radek Martinek, Marc Methot and Brett Lebda because of injuries.

They recalled Dalton Prout from minor league Springfield on Friday, but Prout was a healthy scratch versus the Wild when it became clear that Wisniewski would dress.

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