Long recovery for Methot

Blue Jackets defenseman Marc Methot is in for a long, painful recovery after breaking his jaw when he was struck by a puck.

Methot told The Columbus Dispatch that his jaw was cracked in two places and requires two titanium plates be screwed in place to stabilize the bones.

"I'm like the Wolverine," Methot said, referring to the comic book character.

Methot is facing up to five weeks with his mouth wired shut, meaning he is likely to miss the rest of the season.

His mother, Betty, a retired emergency-room nurse, has traveled from Ottawa to Columbus to help in his recovery, including making fruit and protein shakes.

"I'm used to a 3,500-calorie diet, so this is going to be a challenge," Methot said.

Methot recalled the incident in which his jaw was broken, leaving a pool of blood on the ice as he raced to the dressing room.

"I just remember the weird feeling of it," Methot said. "I could feel the crack (of the bone) and I knew something bad happened.

"The last thing I saw was the puck coming right at my face, and it was just a natural reaction to protect myself. I had just enough time to react and turn my head to the side."

The Blue Jackets fell to the Anaheim Ducks 5-3 Sunday and they next host the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday.

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