The Columbus Blue Jackets are facing a setback in their playoff ambitions as forward Kirill Marchenko will be sidelined indefinitely following successful surgery on a broken jaw, as the team revealed on Monday.

Marchenko, who leads the team in scoring with 21 goals, has been placed on injured reserve after sustaining his injury during a game. He was struck by a puck while seated on the bench during the second period of a recent 5-3 defeat against Dallas.

Despite the injury, the Blue Jackets are currently maintaining their position in the Eastern Conference, holding onto the eighth and final playoff spot. They are also without veteran forwards Boone Jenner, who is recovering from a shoulder injury, and Sean Monahan, who has a wrist issue. The team has been performing well recently, boasting a record of 5-2 in their last seven games as they wrap up a four-game road trip with a matchup against Buffalo on Tuesday night.

Following the Buffalo game, the Blue Jackets will return home for two consecutive matches before the league breaks for the two-week 4 Nations tournament.