Blue Jackets’ Werenski, Olivier out against Capitals with upper-body injury

With the Blue Jackets trailing the Washington Capitals 5-1 midway through the third period, the team announced that defenseman Zach Werinski and forward Matthew Oliver have been ruled out for the remainder of the contest with upper-body injuries.

It is not clear when and how they were injured.

Both are notable losses for the Blue Jackets, considering both Werenski and Olivier have yet to miss a game this season and rank in the top 10 on the list for points.

Werenski entered Monday with 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists), second on Columbus, and was named just the NHL’s second star of the week. Oliver’s three goals and six assists for nine points ranks eighth.

Werenski left the game against Washington after 17:36 of time on the ice and had four shots on goal and two blocked shots, while Oliver left after 4:49 of action.

Any comeback the 11-8-3 Blue Jackets hope to make against the Capitals will have to come without any of their services.