James Neal suspended

The NHL has suspended Dallas Stars forward James Neal two games for a boarding infraction that injured the Columbus Blue Jackets' Derek Dorsett.
The NHL announced the discipline on Friday. Neal will miss games against New Jersey on Saturday and Carolina on Monday.
Neal also will forfeit $8,515 in salary, with the money going to the Players' Emergency Assistance Fund.
Neal hit Dorsett from behind at 13:01 of the second period in Thursday's 4-1 loss. Dorsett was dazed after striking his head on the boards, and Neal was assessed a major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct.

Voracek

For now Voracek is a second-liner in Columbus, but his coach doesn’t think that will last.“I think he has a chance to be a No. 1 right winger in the league,” Hitchcock said. “Our biggest challenge is getting him to shoot more, because he always wants to make plays. If he’s able to score on a more regular basis, he really should come out as a No. 1 right winger in the league.”

Huselius Blue Jackets

Huselius was injured in practice on Tuesday and will be sidelined at least one week. His arm was in a sling during the Blue Jackets' shootout loss to San Jose on Wednesday night. In 13 games this season, he has five goals and four assists. Last year he ranked second on the club in scoring with 21 goals and 35 assists.
The 24-year-old Picard, Syracuse's leading goal-scorer with five, has two assists in 58 career NHL games.

Columbus Bluejackets schedule this week

Columbus playing five of its next six games at Nationwide Arena
THIS WEEK’S GAME SCHEDULE/BROADCASTS (Times ET)
Wed., Nov. 4 SAN JOSE SHARKS, Nationwide Arena, 7 p.m. FSO HD/CD101
Thu., Nov. 5 at Atlanta Thrashers, Philips Arena, 7 p.m. FSO HD/1460, CD101
Sat., Nov. 7 CAROLINA HURRICANES, Nationwide Arena, 7 p.m. FSO HD/1460, CD101
FSO – FOX Sports Ohio; 1460 – WBNS-AM 1460 The Fan; CD101 – CD101.1 FM
BLUE JACKETS AT A GLANCE

Record: 7-5-1, 15 pts. (Central Division: 2nd place; Western Conference: 9th place)… Streak: 1-0-1… Home: 3-1-1, 7 pts. (0-1-1 in last two)… Road: 4-4-0, 8 pts. (won last game)… Last Week’s Results: 1-1-1… Oct. 28 – Phoenix 4, at COLUMBUS 1… Oct. 30 – Pittsburgh 4, at COLUMBUS 3 SO… Nov. 1 – COLUMBUS 5, at Washington 4 OT.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE, NOV. 3-9 (subject to change)
Tuesday, Nov. 3 10:30 a.m. – Dispatch Ice Haus
Wednesday, Nov. 4 10:30 a.m. – Nationwide Arena
Thursday, Nov. 5 11:30 a.m. – Philips Arena, Atlanta
Friday, Nov. 6 12 p.m. – Dispatch Ice Haus
Saturday, Nov. 7 10:30 a.m. – Nationwide Arena
Sunday, Nov. 8 11 a.m. – Dispatch Ice Haus
Monday, Nov. 9 10:30 a.m. – Dispatch Ice Haus

Stretching for ice hockey

Every hockey player's pre-game routine should include warm-up exercises. In addition to skill exercises and light drills, stretching should be part of a good warm-up. When executed correctly, stretching helps reduce the risk of injury and increases flexibility. The following stretching program is designed for hockey players who often are subjected to wet, cramped locker rooms where stretching from a position on the floor is difficult. These group stretches should be done both before and after activity.

Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi

Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi was fined an undisclosed amount by the NHL on Monday for his low hit on Columbus' Jason Chimera on Sunday at Staples Center.
Scuderi wasn't suspended for the hit, which occurred during the first period and wasn't penalized by the on-ice officials. The NHL reviews debatable plays and can impose a fine or suspension.

Malhotra

More salt in the wound from last night for the CBJ, Kopitar was 1st Star of the league last night and Malhotra was 2nd star with 2 goals

Bluejackets

Wow Jackets blow a 4 to 1 lead.Hope this isn't something the Jackets will continue to do.

Jackets tough on the penalty kill

The BlueJackets will have to be killers tonight, penalty killers that is and to this point in the season it has been no problem. At 94.4%, the Union Blue at 1st in the league in that department. Credit a high pressure approach with improved personnel even if it's only 1 guy. Sammy Pahllson has really added a missing element on the penalty kill that has made the unit elite.

Jordan LaVallee-Smotherman

The Columbus Blue Jackets have picked up left-winger Jordan LaVallee-Smotherman from the Atlanta Thrashers in exchange for future considerations.
General manager Scott Howson announced the deal Thursday. LaVallee-Smotherman was assigned to the club's American Hockey League affiliate in Syracuse.
The 23-year-old LaVallee-Smotherman was Atlanta's fifth pick, 116th overall, in the 2005 draft.
He has one goal and one assist in four career NHL games with the Thrashers and has spent most of the past three seasons playing with the AHL's Chicago Wolves.
The six-foot-three, 225-pound native of Corvallis, Ore., has 39 goals and 34 assists in 140 career AHL games.